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Perkins 

•••  • • •••  • 
• • • • • • • 

• • • • • • 


SCHOOL 
FOR  THE 


BLIND 


Samuel  P.  Hayes  Research  Library 
Perkins  School  for  the  Blind 
175  N.  Beacon  Street 
Watertown,  MA  02472 


Photographs:  Right:  Nella  Braddy  Henney.  Left:  Helen  Keller,  Henney  and  Polly  Thomson. 


Nella  Braddy  Henney  Collection,  Box  13 


Series  1:  Original  Correspondence 

Box  13:  Folder  1-25:  Correspondence  from  Keller,  articles,  notes,  1914- 

1960 


Correspondence  with  and  about  Helen  Keller  and  Anne  Sullivan.  Henney  was  Sullivan’s 
biographer  and  a close  friend  of  Keller  and  Sullivan  for  many  years. 


Visit:  httpi/Avww  . Dcrkinsarchives.org/nbh.html  for  complete  finding  aid 


TITLE:  Nella  Braddy  Henney  Colleclion  Finding  Aid 
CREATOR:  Nella  Braddy  Henney;  Keith  Henney 
DATE  RANGE:  1903-1976 
CALL  NLIIMBER:  AG151 

PROVENANCE:  Donated  by  Keith  Henney,  Nella  Braddy  Henney's  spouse,  circa  1975. 

SCOPE  AND  CONTENT: 

The  Nella  Braddy  Henney  Collection  is  comprised  of  correspondence,  notes,  photographs,  articles, 
clippings,  publications,  and  other  materials  related  to  Helen  Keller,  Anne  Sullivan  Macy,  Polly  Thomson, 
and  Nella  Braddy  Hemiey.  The  correspondence  spans  the  years  of  1 927  to  1969,  and  is  to  and  from  Helen 
Keller,  Anne  Sullivan  Macy,  Polly  Thomson,  and  Nella  Braddy  Henney  between  themselves  and  others. 
The  notes,  photographs,  articles,  clippings,  publications  and  other  materials  relate  to  the  lives  of  Helen 
Keller,  Anne  Sullivan  Macy,  Polly  Thomson  and  Nella  Braddy  Henney,  and  are  interspersed  throughout  the 
collection,  as  well  as  within  their  respective  series. 

The  extensive  correspondence  collection  contains  letters,  memos,  and  notes  in  relation  to  Braddy  Henney’s 
work  for  Helen  Keller  during  Keller’s  lifetime,  and  on  research  for  Braddy  Henney’s  book,  Anne  Sullivan 
Macy:  The  story  behind  Helen  Keller  (1933).  Keller’s  correspondence  includes  letters  with  others,  such  as 
Samuel  Clemens  (Mark  Twain;  copies),  Perkins  Directors  Edward  E.  Allen  and  Gabriel  Farrell,  Charles  F. 
F.  Campbell,  actress  Katherine  Cornell,  and  other  notable  people.  These  letters  were  forwarded  to  Nella 
Braddy  Henney  for  use  while  working  on  her  book. 

Nella  Braddy  Henney’s  personal  journal  entries  are  included  in  this  collection,  and  supplement  the 
correspondence.  These  journal  entries  span  the  years  of  1938  and  1962. 

The  photograph  collection  includes  portraits,  publicity  photographs  with  prominent  individuals,  materials 
related  to  film  projects  in  Hollywood,  advocacy  for  blinded  veterans,  many  casual  images  from  visits  to 
Helen  Keller’s  Arcan  Ridge  and  Forest  Hills  homes,  and  trips  to  Martha’s  Vineyard  with  Eleanor 
Roosevelt.  Many  of  the  photographical  items  can  be  attributed  to  the  work  of  Keith  Henney. 

RELATED  MATERIALS: 

Helen  Keller  Photograph  Collection  (AG62) 

Helen  Keller  Photograph  Collection  on 

Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/perkinsarchive/collections/7215762731 01 17390/ 

PHYSICAL  DESCRIPTION:  About  15  linear  feet. 

LANGUAGE:  English 

PROCESSING  NOTE:  Legacy  finding  aid  by  Ken  Stuckey,  ca.  1975,  updated  by  Emily  Carta.  2015, 
updated  by  Molly  Stothert-Maurer,  2013,  2015. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE: 

Nella  Braddy  Henney  (1894-1973)  first  met  Anne  Sullivan,  Helen  Keller,  and  Polly  Thomson  in  1924, 
when  she  came  to  the  Sullivan-Keller-'fhomson  household  to  write  Sullivan’s  biography  Anne  Sullivan 


Mdcy:  The  story  behind  Helen  Ac^//er  (1933).  Quickly  mastering  the  manual  finger  language,  she  kept 
Keller  in  touch  with  the  political,  literary,  and  scientific  world  around  her.  She  remained  in  Keller’s  life,  as 
a friend,  and  also  as  Keller's  power  of  attorney,  acting  agent  for  all  Keller’s  literary  matters,  until  1963. 
She  was  married  to  Keith  Henney,  also  a writer  and  editor,  as  well  as  a photographer  who  took  many 
photographs  of  Helen  Keller.  She  died  in  1973. 

RESTRICTIONS: 

None 

COPYRIGHT: 

It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  user  to  obtain  permission  to  publish  from  the  owner  of  the  copyright  (the 
institution,  the  creator  of  the  record,  the  author  or  his/her  transferees,  heirs,  legates,  or  literary  executors). 
The  user  agrees  to  indemnify  and  hold  harmless  Perkins  School  for  the  Blind,  its  officers,  employees,  and 
agents  from  and  against  all  claims  made  by  any  person  asserting  that  he  or  she  is  an  owner  of  copyright. 

CREDIT  LINE/CITATION: 

Helen  Keller  Photo  Collection.  Perkins  School  for  the  Blind. 

SUBJECT  HEADINGS: 

Keller,  Helen.  1880-1968. 

Macy,  Anne  Sullivan,  1866-1936 
Henney,  Nella  Braddy,  1 894- 
Perkins  School  for  the  Blind 
Thomson,  Polly 
ARRANGEMENT: 

4 series,  one  appendix,  20  boxes  and  36  binders.  Note:  Nella  Braddy  Henney  is  abbreviated  NBH 

Series  1 ; Original  Correspondence 

Series  2:  Photocopies  of  Correspondence 

Series  3:  Photograph  Collection 

Series  4:  Publications 

CONTAINER  LIST: 

Series  1:  Original  Correspondence 

Box  13:  Folder  1-25:  Correspondence  from  Keller,  articles,  notes.  1914-1960 

B13:  FI : NBFI  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller.  Sullivan.  & to  John  Macy,  1914  -1934 

B13:F2:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller  to  Holmes,  1930 


B13;F3:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller,  Sullivan  , 1956  - 1957 

B13:F4:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller,  Sullivan,  1952 
Note:  Helen  Keller's  raw  material  for  "My  Tour  Around  the  Globe” 

B13:F5:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Flelen  Keller,  Sullivan,  1950  - 1952 

B13:F6:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller  to  NBH,  April  1955 

B13:F7:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller  & Polly  Thomson  to  NBH,  1957  - 1960 

B13:F8:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller  to  NBH,  Hiroshima,  1941  - 1949 

B13:F9:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller,  1960 

Note:  contents  address  Helen  Keller’s  canceling  of  NBH’s  power  of  attorney. 

B13:F10:  NBH  Correspondence:  from  Helen  Keller,  Sullivan,  1888,  1933  - 1938,  1953  - 1954 

B13:F11:NBH  Correspondence:  Articles:  1933  -1957 

B13:F12:  NBH  Correspondence:  Articles:  1933  - 1957 

B13:F13:  NBH  Correspondence:  Articles:  1933  - 1954 

B13:F14:NBH  Correspondence:  Articles:  1933,  1956-  1957,  1966 
Note:  “by  and  about  Keller,  Thomson,  Sullivan  Macy 

B13:F15:  NBH  Collection:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication 

B13:F16:  NBH  Collection:  Notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication  - Howe  Family 

B13:F17:  NBH  Collection:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication,  Ireland 

B13:F18:  NBH  Collection:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication  - the  South  and  Tuscumbia 

Note:  “The  South  and  Tuscumbia  and  other  statements  of  Teacher  (Amie 

Sullivan)” 

B13:F19:  NBH  Collection:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication:  Teacher’s  notes,  Tewksbury  & others 

B13:F20:  NBH  Correspondence:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication  - Sullivan  Macy’s  sayings  & poems 

B13:F21:  NBH  Correspondence:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication 

B13:F22:  NBH  Correspondence:  notes  for  Sullivan  Macy  publications  - Perkins  Institution 

B13:F23:  NBH  Correspondence:  notes  and  other  materials  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication 

B13:F24:  NBH  Correspondence:  notes  and  other  materials  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication 

B13:F25:  NBH  Correspondence:  notes  and  other  materials  for  Sullivan  Macy  publication 


Exclusion  note: 


Folders  11-19  and  21-25  are  available  to 
researchers  in  person  only.  These  are 
publieations  and  clippings  and  book  drafts. 

Sorry  for  the  ineonvenienee. 


Best, 

Arehives  Staff 


Appleton,  Wisconsin,  January  **5,  1914. 

Dear  John, 

Mother  has  read  your  letter  to  her  to  me  from 
beginning  to  end.  It  has  amazed  me  and  filled  my  heart 
with  sorrow.  If  you  ever  loved  Teacher  or  me,  I beseech 
you  to  be  calm,  fair,  kind,  to  consider  what  you  have  said 
in  that  letter. 

You  are  wrong,  John,  in  thinking  that  Teacher  has 
tried  to  influence  me  against  you.  She  never  has.  She 
has  always  tried  to  make  me  see  how  very  good  and  helpful 
you  have  been  to  us  both.  She  has  impressed  it  upon  me 
that  very  few  men  would  have  endured  ray  foolish  tears,  my 
fussy  and  exacting  ways  as  you  have  all  these  years,  and  I 
love  you  for  it.  She  never  told  me  that  she  thought 
you  pushed  me  out  of  my  place  at  the  table  one  night  at 
the  apartment  until  mother  read  it  in  your  letter I I 
know  you  put  me  in  a seat  away  from  you:  but  I thought  it 
natural  that  you  should  have  Mrs.  White  beside  you,  as  she 
was  a guest,  and  I think  so  now.  But  it  hurt  Teacher  to 
think  that  you  should  have  any  one  else  in  my  seat  when  I 
was  to  be  at  home  only  a few  days. 

As  to  my  voice,  you  know,  John,  and  every  one  else 
knows  that  for  twenty  years  we  worked  hard  together  to 
make  it  better.  She  never  claimed  to  know  anything  about 
the  science  of  the  voice.  She  simply  tried,  as  you  your- 
self used  to  try,  in  every 


way  possible  to  help  me  speak  better,  and  I love  her 
for  It,  Mr.  \7hite  has  often  expressed  to  me  in 
glowing  words  the  warmest  enthusiasm  for  her  work,  and 
his  indignation  that  some  people  did  not  give  her  the 
credit  for  it.  She  gives  him  full  credit  in  every 
lecture  as  a fine  voice  teacher,  and  she  loves  to  do  it. 
No,  there  has  rc  been  any  "unintelligent  nagging"  or 
nagging  of  any  kind  about  my  voice.  Please,  please  be 
fair,  be  just. 

You  say  you  can  "never  explain  to  me  what  your  life 
with  Teacher  has  been."  I remember  that  in  spite  of  many 
hard  trials  in  the  past  we  have  had  happy  days,  many  of 
them,  vsiien  we  three  seemed  to  feel  in  each  other's  hand- 
clasp a bit  of  heaven.  Have  you  forgotten  it  all, 
that  you  should  say  such  bitter  things  about  my  tea- 
cher, about  her  wdio  has  made  my  darkness  beautiful  and 
rent  asunder  the  iron  gates  of  silence.  Have  you  for- 
gotten all  the  sunshine,  all  the  laughter,  all  the 
long  walks,  drives  and  jolly  adventures,  all  the 
splendid  books  we  read  together.  Have  you  forgotten 
how  exultantly  you  used  to  say,  after  you  had  helped  me 
with  a difficult  task;  "There!  we  are  happy  now  be- 
cause we  have  a piece  of  faithful  workmanship  to  show." 
Have  you  forgotten  that  at  times,  vrtien  we  had  all  been 
impatient,  you  would  say  to  me;  "If  we  were  not  a 
trouble  to  each  other,  we  could  not  love  as  we  do." 

I know  how  Imperious,  changeable  and  quick- 


tempered  Teacher  is.  I have  suffered  just  as  much  from 
those  failings  as  you  have:  but  my  love  for  her  has 
never  wavered,  never  will.  Perhaps  she  owes  her 
success  to  some  of  those  very  failings.  You  know — you 
have  often  told  me  as  much — that  the  education  of  a deaf 
blind  child  is  a tremendous  strain  upon  the  faculties  and 
the  health  of  the  teacher,  and  that  only  a few  can  stay 
with  such  a child  more  than  a year  or  two.  Only 
Teacher's  splendid  vigor  has  made  it  possible  for  her  to 
stick  to  her  colossal  task  during  twenty-six  years. 

Think  of  it! 

You  say  that  she  "has  never  been  a wife  to  you,  or 
done  any  of  the  things  that  a woman  might  be  expected  to 
do."  You  know,  we  have  shared  everything  we  had  with  you. 
You  have  helped  us  in  all  our  literary  work,  and  all 
that  has  come  from  it  has  belonged  to  you  as  much  as  to 
us.  You  know,  too,  that  you  have  dictated  as  freely 
as  we  have  what  ought  to  be  done  with  anyn  gains  we  had 
from  our  work,  and  we  have  looked  up  to  you  in  all  our 
problems,  all  our  difficulties,  all  our  under- 
takings. Do  you  remember  that  I refused  to  take 
lessons  from  Mr.  Devol  years  ago  because  you  so  evi- 
dently disapproved  of  the  plan.  If  you  still  think  I 
am  "dominated"  by  Teacher,  this  proves  that  you  yourself 
have  done  it,  and  I love  you  none  the  less  for  it. 

Again;  Teacher  does  not  like  the  lecturing:  but  she  was 


glad  to  do  it  last  year  when  she  thought  that  some 
money  would  take  you  to  Italy  and  give  you  the  change  you 
desired,  I copied  all  the  letters  she  wrote  to  you  last 
summer,  often  with  her  tears  running  over  my  hand.  She 
really  felt  that  she  was  doing  and  saying  things  to  make  you 
happy  and  bring  you  back  to  us  again  well  and  strong. 

And  now  you  say  that  "she  has  played  a game" — that  she 
has  been  untrue  to  youl 

Be  careful,  John,  what  you  say.  If  you  love  me,  as 
you  tell  mother  you  do,  be  careful.  The  world  before 
which  we  three  stand  will  certainly  judge  what  we  do  and 
say,  and  I believe  that  the  world  will  judge  fairly  of 
us,  as  it  always  has. 

I know  that  in  the  past  year  Teacher  has  changed  in 
some  essential  respects.  By  talking  with  her  daily  I 
have  learned  that  you  have  helped  her  to  see  the  world, 
the  workers  and  economic,  social  and  moral  conditions  as 
she  never  saw  them  before.  Living  so  close  to  her  as  I 
do,  I can  prove,  absolutely  prove,  that  she  has  new 
aims,  a new  conviction,  a new  vision  of  life,  a new 
ideal  and  a new  inspiration  to  service,  and  you  will 
know  it  too  some  day.  Believe  me,  John,  from  this  work 
the  great  jury  of  the  world  will  pass  its  verdict  upon 
her  actions  and  sentiments,  and  upon  yours.  They  will 
also  say  that  this  trouble  is  my  affair;  Teacher  is  my 
affair;  you  are  my  affair,  just  as  all  suffering 
humanity  is  my  affair. 


Now,  dear,  you  have  every  one  of  Teacher's  fai  ings, 
as  I can  show  you  from  my  experience  with  you:  and 
your  letter  has  proved  that  you  have  more  grievous  ones 
than  she  has,  and  I still  cherish  you.  When  I first 
heard  your  letter,  I thought  you  had  destroyed  my  love  for 
you.  Once  you  said  you  were  a sworn  foe  to  all  \^o  brought 
such  charges  against  Teacher,  and  I thought  I was  too. 

But  now  I know  you  have  not  killed  my  love,  and  you  never 
can.  Does  not  love — true  love — suffer  all  things,  be- 
lieve all  things,  hope  all  things,  endure  all  things. 

Love  suffers  long  and  is  patient.  It  gives  without 
stint,  without  measure  and  asks  for  nothing  in  return. 

It  expects  only  good  from  the  dear  one  through  all  trials  and 
disillusionments.  W'ith  such  a love  I cling  to  you,  as 
I cling  to  Teacher.  You  and  I are  comrades 
journeying  hand  in  hand  to  the  end.  When  the  way  is 
dark,  and  the  shadows  fall,  we  draw  closer. 

Of  course  I do  not  ask  you  to  give  Teacher  what  you 
cannot  give.  Why  should  I.  Why  should  any  one.  It  is 
something  over  which  you  have  no  control.  But  you 
certainly  did  give  us  something  better  when  you  were  in 
New  York  last  December.  You  did  more  for  us  unex- 
pectedly in  little  ways  than  ever  before,  and  I knew 
then  that  you  had  a new,  nobler  feeling.  Oh,  John, 
recall  that  feeling,  foster  it  more  and  more,  give  up 
everything  for  it,  and  believe  me,  undreamed  sweetness 


and  peace  shall  come  into  your  life.  It  shall  no 
longer  seem  to  you  "a  poor  life."  I have  lived  to  know 
that  love  which  is  love  indeed  casts  out  the  ghosts  of 
dead  affections,  dead  hopes,  wasted  years  and  disapp  inted 
ambitions.  Let  your  heart  speak  for  "my  Helen"  as  you 
so  fondly  call  me,  prompt  you  to  exceed  what  you  have 
thought  you  could  do,  match  my  love  with  your  own  for  us 
both,  as  you  once  said  you  would.  I have  unfaltering 
faith  in  you.  One  day  you  asked  me  to  trot  in  the  same 
team  with  you,  and  now  I ask  you.  Whether  you  xhoose  to 
or  not,  I promise  that  you  shall  find  me  unchanged. 

Affectionately, 

"Billy." 


Milwaukee,  February  8,  1914. 

Dear  John, 

I found  your  letter  awaiting  me  at  Gales- 
burg. It  made  me  wretched,  and  I have  not  had  a 
moment's  peace  of  mind  since.  I confess,  I had 
hoped  for  a gentler,  more  magnanimous  answer.  I have 
said  little  about  it  to  Teacher.  She  is  wretched 
too,  and  seems  to  think  that  there  is  nothing  to  be 
gained  by  discussion.  But  I have  had  several  talks 
with  mother,  and  we  both  feel  that  your  attitude  to- 
wards Teacher  is  hard  and  unreasonable. 

Perhaps  I ought  not  to  write  you  what  I think.  But 
you  know  it  is  ray  nature  to  speak  ray  mind,  and 
there  are  some  things  I want  to  say  before  we  drop 
the  subject. 

I may  perhaps  never  know  all  that  you  have  suf- 
fered the  past  ten  years.  But  what  I do  know  is 
that  all  has  not  been  suffering,  I have  a good 
memory,  and  I remember  distinctly  that  we  have  ha-^ 
many,  many  bright  days  together.  In  spite  of  all 
that  you  may  say  to  the  contrary,  the  happy  days 
outnumber  the  unhappy  ones,  M 'ov^  n ••  you  have 
always  acknowledged  11118,  and  you  would  still  if  you 
could  only  put  (hose  hard  feelings  out  of  your  heart. 


1 


ITever,  eirce  T hr>vp  krov.ri  yov,  hr^ve  you  nude  Buch 
fVi’eepir-i;  charces  araiuH';.  Teacher.  You  say;  "She  has 
not  played  fair."  I do  not-  know  what  you  moan.  You 
do  not  explain,  except  that  you  say  you  cannot  trust 
her.  Practically  you  call  her  "a  living  lie, " as 
Mr.  Anagnos  used  to  call  me.  You  do  not  use  those 
words;  but  that  is  what  you  imply. 

You,  her  husband,  my  brother,  dare  to  say  such 
things  about  your  wife,  my  teachorl  And  further, 
you  declare  that  you  can  "abundantly  prove"  what  you 
say.  This  you  cannot  do  because  it  is  a lie,  and 
when  you  come  to  your  senses,  John,  you  will  >now 
this.  I have  lived  with  her  twenty-six  years. 

Mother  has  known  her  as  long,  and  loves  her  and 
trusts  her  implicitly.  No  one  can  be  "a  living  lie" 
and  keep  the  affection  of  her  near  friends  during  all 
that  time.  We  realize  how  quick-tempered  and 
changeable  Teacher  is.  V«e  know  that  when  she  gets 
angry,  she  blurts  out  things  which  she  does  not  mean 
in  the  very  least.  But  we  also  know  that  she  bears 
no  malice,  and  is  quick  to  ask  forg'  '.'>-.'5,  You 
once  said  to  me;  "When  Teacher  gets  mad,  she  says 
wrong  things  blindly.  But  I go  and  say  mean  things 
to  a man  with  ray  eyes  wide  open." 

Three  selfish  men,  whom  neither  you  or  I respect. 


brought  charges  against  her  similar  to  those  ■which  you  now 
make,  and  you  know  how  false  they  were  because  you  had 
the  facts  before  you,  and  you  told  me  how  flimsy  and 
contemptible  the  charges  were.  You  fought  her  battle 
then,  and  I thought  you  had  a knightly  heart.  What  has 
happened  to  youm  John,  to  justify  such  cruel,  suspicious 
language? 

IText,  you  ■write;  "It  is  Teacher's  act  i/rtiich  involves 
separation  from  me."  But  she  did  not  tell  mother  or  me 
that  she  would  not  return  to  the  apartment.  In  fact, 
mother  did  not  know  that  she  had  asked  you  to  consult  a 
lawyer  until  the  lawyer's  letter  reached  Teacher  in  De- 
troit. Of, course  we  understand  that  a divorce  in- 
volves separation.  But  that  is  a very  different 
matter  from  ■what  you  say.  You  tell  me  that  "she  left  my 
house  with  the  express  and  final  decision  never  to  re- 
turn." She  did  not  say  so  to  mother  or  to  me  or  to  any 
other  person  that  we  know  of,  unless  she  said  it  to  you, 
and  we  do  not  know  about  that.  But  even  if  she  did  say 
so  to  youm  how  could  you  believe  that  we  would  never 
come  back  to  the  apartment?  Where  else  could  we  go? 

The  apartment  is  full  of  our  things,  and  we  think  of  it 
as  our  home--  not  a happy  home,  to  be  sure,  but  all 
the  home  we  have  in  the  world.  Mother  and  I both 


understand  that  Teacher  and  I are  to  return  in  May. 


You  say  you  have  "an  absolute  contempt  for  the  law, 
its  sanctions  and  releases."  Yet  you  seem  to  think  the 
law  a good  thing  for  Teacher.  You  fling  out  legal 
terms  about  her  acts  as  if  they  were  words  to  conjure 
with.  You  obey  your  attorney’s  orders  and  write  to  her 
only  with  his  permission.  She  has  not  consulted  a law- 
yer, except  through  you,  and  she  does  not  know  the  legal 
bearings  of  her  acts,  except  as  you  interpret  them. 

You  assert  that  all  these  difficulties  would  be 
easier  to  bear  "if  Teacher  would  think  straight  and 
think  honestly.  I think  they  would  vanish  away  if  you 
would  think  kindly  and  generously.  I may  not  under- 
stand all  your  difficulties.  But  certainly  I am  in- 
telligent enough  to  understand  some  of  them,  and  I am  as 
well  able  as  any  one  else  to  judge  the  merits  of  "wdiat 
you  say. 

I do  not  want  you  to  think,  John,  that  I am  trying 
to  interfere  in  a matter  which  concerns  you  and  Teacher. 
But  the  relation  of  us  three  is  so  close,  so  unusual 
that  I feel  I have  some  right  to  speak  my  mind,  as  a 
sister  might  to  her  brother. 

You  say  that  my  love  for  you  and  your  love  for  me  is 


5 


not  in  question.  In  one  sense  that  is  true:  but  in 
another  sense  it  is  not  true.  For  I have  loved  Teacher 


dearly  through  all  the  circumstances  of  our  life  to- 
gether, and  her  happiness  is  bound  up  with  mine. 

Again,  you  say  that  "the  question  of  my  voice  is  not 
essential  to  this  matter."  That  is  very  true.  What 
right,  then,  had  you  to  write  in  your  letter  to 
mother  about  Teacher's  "unintelligent  nagging  having  a 
bad  effect  upon  my  voice?  Because  you  mentioned  it, 

I referred  to  it  in  my  letter  to  you.  Come  to  think 
of  it,  had  it  not  been  for  Teacher's  "unintelligent 
nagging"  for  twenty  years,  Mr.  White  would  have  had  no 
voice  to  work  upon!  The  fact  of  the  whole  matter  is, 
your  mind  is  so  prejudiced  that  everything  seems 
wrong  to  you  now. 

You  tell  me  that  our  contracts  with  the  Pond  Bureau 
were  signed  before  any  of  us  dreamed  of  your  going  to 
Europe.  Of  course  that  is  true.  But  what  I said  in 
my  letter  to  you  is  perfectly  true  too.  We  were  both 
glad  and  happy  to  do  work  which  wo  hated  when  we 
thought  that  some  money  would  take  you  to  Italy  and 
give  you  the  change  you  desired.  Your  answer  is  a 
quibble. 

As  to  the  money  question,  mother  knows,  and  every 


6 


one  of  our  friends  knows  that  Teacher  is  generous  to  a 
fault.  You  speak  of  her  making  "a  disgraceful  row  on 
two  occasions"  when  you  proposed  to  send  some  money  to 
your  mother.  You  say  nothing  about  the  many  times  that 
money  was  sent  to  your  family  when  Teacher  did  not 
"make  a disgraceful  row! " You  know,  John,  and  I 
know  that  she  helped  your  family  even  before  she  was 
married.  You  should  remember  that  during  the  years  which 
followed  it  was  often  very  difficult  for  us  to  pay  our 
own  bills,  and  still  we  had  your  family  to  help.  You 
should  also  remember,  John,  that  when  you  were  in 
Schenectady,  and  we  were  still  in  debt,  you  never  sent 
us  any  money,  though  of  course  you  may  have  paid  some 
bills  that  I did  not  know  of.  Afterwards  we  paid  your 
debt  to  Mrs.  Hopkins,  and  we  were  glad  to  do  it,  and  we 
have  always  been  glad  to  do  ^irtiatever  we  could  to  help 
you,  even  if  Teacher  sometimes  made  "a  disgraceful  row." 

I realize  that  she  was  very  extravagant.  But  so  were 
you,  and  she  herself  got  the  money  to  pay  most  of  our 
bills.  You  tell  me  she  ackno%vledged  in  a letter  to 
you  "that  it  had  never  occurred  to  her  until  last  year 
that  you  had  any  independent  rights  in  our  money."  You 
ought  to  remember  that  nevertheless,  all  these  years 
ALL  the  money  we  had  has  gone  to  pay  our  expenses,  y(?urs 


7 


as  well  as  Teacher’s  and  mine.  Since  we  have  had  more 
money,  there  has  really  been  no  question  about  your 
ri;jht  to  send  money  to  your  "smily  or  to  any  one  else, 
and  you  .’:ave  av^iiled  yourseli  of  that  right,  have  you 
not?  Teacher's  talk  about,  and  her  attitude  towards 
money  has  never  been  "evil  and  sordid."  You  will  find 
it  difficultra  if  not  impossible,  to  convince  any  of  her 
friends  of  the  truth  of  that  astateiaent.  If  it  were  in 
part  time,  siie  would  be  a rlcli  ’ranan  today.  She  would 
have  married  riches,  and  she  could  have  secured  money 
from  many  sources  if  she  had  made  the  least  concession 
to  those  ^o  have  it  in  abundance.  You  ought  to  be 
asheimed  to  use  such  words. 

As  to  the  checks  you  speak  of.  Teacher  told  mother 
that  she  destroyed  them  because  she  thought  that  if 
there  was  to  be  a separation,  you  would  not  be  the  one 
to  attend  to  our  business.  But  later,  when  you  spoke 
to  her  about  it,  she  thought  that  it  would  not  make 
any  difference  one  way  or  the  other:  so  she  made  the 
checks  out  again.  She  told  me  some  months  ago  that 
she  was  sorry  she  had  not  letc  you  manage  our  finan- 
cial affairs  from  the  beginning.  But  neither  mother 
or  I see  ythy  she  should.  She  also  said  she  was  sorry 
she  had  made  such  expensive  «xx  changes  in  our  house. 


8 


But  that  is  past  and  over.  All  this  talk  about  money 
is  very  painful  to  me,  and  I hope  I shall  never  have  to 
refer  to  it  again.  But  my  sense  of  justice  compels  me 
to  state  the  facts  in  face  of  your  charge  that  she 
has  been  ungenerous. 

I confess,  I cannot  feel  very  sorry  if  you  were  a 
little  insulted  because,  as  you  must  see  from  the  facts 
before  you,  you  have  been  pretty  prodigal  with  your  in- 
sults to  her. 

The  idea  of  her  changing  her  opinions,  her  attitude 
towards  life  "to  get  the  better  of  you,"  as  you  put  it 
in  your  letter  to  mother,  is  preposterous.  What  do 
you  mean  by  "to  get  the  better  of  met"  If  it  means  to 
live  more  peaceably  with  you,  I consider  it  a wonder- 
ful piece  of  self-effacement.  But  I know  she  is  not 
made  that  way.  She  never  in  her  life  changed  her 
opinions  in  order  to  get  peace  or  happiness.  It  is 
past  belief  that  you  should  think  any  such  thing  even 
for  a moment.  You  say  to  me  that  you  "cannot  know 
what  is  in  the  mind  of  another  person."  Yet  in  your 
letter  to  mother  you  a cused  Teacher  of  changing  her 
opinions  "to  get  the  better  of  you,"  That  is  a little 
inconsistent,  John,  is  it  not? 

Teacher's  difficulty  now  is  not  that  you  no  longer 


9 


love  her,  but  that  your  vAiole  attitude  towards  her  is 
one  of  distrust  and  suspicion.  Yet  her  love  for 
you  has  survived  all  this  wreck  and  misery  and  confu- 
sion, and  I must  say  I am  surprised.  She  never  talks 
unkindly  to  me  or,  I believe,  to  any  one  else  about  you. 
And  here  are  your  two  letters  full  of  harsh  things 
about  her,  which  you  reiterate  over  and  over  as  if  you 
enjoyed  saying  themi  The  trouble  with  you  is,  you  have 
apparent3.y  conceived  an  antipathy  for  her.  That  is 
vdiat  makes  it  impossible  for  you  to  live  and  work  and 
be  decent. 

To  sum  up,  mother  and  I feel  that  Teacher  has  had 
something  to  bear  on  her  side  as  you  have  on  yours. 

The  faults  you  have  are  such  that  they  have  made  it 
difficult  for  her  to  live  with  you  quite  happily. 

You  should  not  forget  that  some  of  the  "disgraceful 
rows"  you  talk  about  so  much  arose  out  of  your  incon- 
siderateness and  self-indulgent  habits.  I know  that 
those  habits  often  upset  our  housekeeping,  and  that 
they  would  have  tried  the  temper  of  any  housewife. 
Perhaps  they  seem  trivial  to  your  masculine  mind:  but 
to  a woman  nothing  is  trivial  that  upsets  the  order  of 
her  household  and  brings  confusion  into  the  family  life. 

I love  you  both,  I always  shall,  and  I did  think 


lo 


that  you  both  loved  me  well  enough  to  hold  my  hands 
and  support  my  weakness  through  all  the  years  allotted 
to  me.  Every  word  of  your  two  bitter  letters  about 
Teacher  is  cruelly  stamped  upon  my  mind,  and  will 
darken  every  day  of  my  life  as  my  p|^sical  blindness 
has  never  done.  You,  and  you  alone  can  lift  this 
burden  of  sorrow  from  my  heart.  My  love  for  you 
makes  me  confident  that  somehow,  someiniiere,  sometime 
you  will  again  be  the  dear  brother  and  generous 
friend  that  I have  known  for  twelve  years. 

Affectionately  your  sister, 

Helen 


P.  s.  The  watch  reached  me  in  Chicago.  I was  so 

• . • T+  T o fine  condition, 

glad  to  have  it  again.  It  is  in 

Thank  you. 


H.  K, 


THE  ONLY  FIREPROOF  HOTEL  IN  THE  CITY 


MILWAUKEE.Wis, 


W.S.  DUNNING, Manager 


SOLUTELV 


f 

FIREP 


I 

7 


OF. 


)feij|ch  4,  19X4. 


Dear  John; 


oixty 


the 


percent 


e.  After 


cash  go 


NTLERS  • 

eleven  o'e3^ck  last  ^^t^Mr.  the  manager. 


came  to  our  room  with  his  troubles.  He  seemed  to  think 
Teacher  ought  to  take  less  than  the  tickets  showed  she 
was  entitled  to.  She  refused,  and  suggested  that  he  pay 
her  the  full  amount  subject  to  modification  later. 

This  he  did;  but  he  gave  us  a personal  check  because  of 
course  the  banks  were  closed,  and  we  had  to  leave  early 
in  the  morning  before  they  opened.  So  Teacher  sent  the 
chock  and  explanations  to  Mr,  Glass.  The  lunount  paid  was 
seven  hundred  and  two  dollars  and  ninety  cents.  These 
percentages  are  very  annoying,  and  cause  us  much  iriritation. 

I am  writing  on  the  train  in  the  middle  of  a vast 
desert.  There  is  nothing  as  far  as  the  eye  can  see  but 
yellow  sand  and  sedge-grass  and  blue  sky.  It  is  as  warm 
as  suinmer,  and  the  sand  is  sifting  in  the  cracks  and 
crevices.  I shall  be  glad  when  wo  get  out  of  Utah! 

I have  not  written  to  you  since  I received  your 
unkind  amd  altogether  unbrotherly  note  in  St.  Louis  be- 


ABSOLUTELV  Tl  REPROOF. 


W-S-  DUNNIN6.Manaoe.p- 


cause  my  work  was  vor  and  I tried  to  keep  unplea- 

Both  mother 
lable^  ^ and 


sant  thoughts  outy. 


"i  jnhst  • 

W 'yii  -.  ■ 

“hpOT^OTt  in  Boston 


did.  You  know  tha^^ 


and  I f eel, 
unjust  tc 

You  know, 

/ 

bocauso  YOU^ 

we  could  not  bo  in  the  apartraont  moro  than  two  weoks  at 
the  most:  and  yet  you  talk  about  "a  seal®  of  living 
based  upon  the  fact  of  our  being  togethorl " Your  mind 
does  not  seem  to  be  as  honest  and  just  as  it  used  to  bo, 
or  you  could  not  write  in  that  way. 

You  had  no  business  to  call  me  "a  fook"  as  you  did  in 
your  last  letter  to  mother.  You  know  I am  not  a fool, 
and  that  it  was  directly  in  answer  to  jrt»at  you  said  about 
Teacher’s  being  ungenerous  that  I brought  up  the  subject 
of  money.  You  know  He  well  enough  to  realize  that  I do 
not  value  money  any  more  than  you  say  you  do,  I have 
edways  been  willing,  glad  to  share  with  you,  evenly  or  any 
way  that  pleased  you,  all  I had.  But  do  you  think  it  is 
fair  or  generous  or  consistent  to  say  you  "hate  our  money," 
and  in  the  very  same  letter  to  tell  us  that  you  deposited 
a thousand  dollars  of  that  "hated"  money  for  yourselfT 
It  is  all  right  for  you  to  have  the  money.  But  it  is  moan 


thus  to  insult  me 


ABSOLUTELY  FIREPROOF. 


W.S.  DUNNING, Manager. 


3 


A 


...that  Teacher  loft  the  itBat  night  because  she 


then,  playing  fair  to  lay  all  the  blame  upon  her  and  take 
advantage  of  the  necessity  irtiich  forced  her  to  go 
away  at  that  time.  Apparently  you  are  making  circum- 
stances fit  in  with  your  wishes,  I imagine  it  is 
possible  for  a woman  to  tell  her  husband  that  she  thinks 
they  had  bettor  separate,  without  wishing  to  "leave  his 
domicile, " 

As  to  your  helping  mo  in  the  future,  how  do  you  think 
we  could  work  together  with  advantage  when  you  keep 
saying  that  Teacher  is  dishonest,  that  you  cannot  be 
harassed  by  a woman  ^om  you  cannot  trust,  that  she  has 
lied  and  deceived  you?  Can  you  not  see,  John,  that  it 
was  you  whowrecked  usT  You  are  certainly  not  yourself, 
or  you  could  not  have  brought  yourself  to  write  as  you 
have,  even  if  we  had  been  in  the  wrong.  Teacher 
has  many  faults,  so  have  I,  and  so  have  you.  But  wo  are 
not  irredeemable,  I hope,  I pity  your  blindness,  and  I 
suffer  on. 


had  to  in 


You  are  not,  y 


ABSOLUTELV  FIREPROOF. 


W.S,  DUNNING, Manaqcp 


4 


Arturo  s book  and  bo  forth.  I understand  that  you 
have  taken  Mr,  Fagan  as  secretary  to  attend  to  some  of 
my  correspondence.  Well,  if  you  do  not  want  to  write 
yourself,  why  not  let  him  write  the  home  news,  eind  so 
help  me  straighten  out  the  many  details  irtiich  always 
come  up  ■rtien  I return  home!  I love  to  bo  of  use  to 
others,  and  I do  not  let  any  one  spare  me  in  my  tasks, 
and  I never  shall. 


Lovingly, 


Helen 


Detroit,  January  12,  1914 


Dear  John, 

Here  we  are  drunk,  not  with  champagne  or  beer  or  whiskey, 
but  with  music--  the  music  of  the  wonderful  Flozanley  Quartettel 
I have  forgotten  where  all  my  troubles  are,  and  I am  floating  upon  a 
sea  of  sweetest  emotions.  The  Quartette  are  here  at  the  hotel,  and 
it  was  arranged  that  they  should  play  for  me  ^ile  an  electrician 
tested  some  devices  to  see  if  I could  feel  the  difference  in  the 
vibrations  of  the  four  instruments.  I could  not;  but  finally  I put 
my  hands  on  the  violin  and  the  cello  at  once,  and  I was 
carried  away  with  rapture,  I seemed  to  feel  a perfect  body  and  a pure 
mind  blending  in  a magnificent  ^ole.  I shall  ever  feel  in  ray 
fingers  the  deep  tones  of  the  cello  and  the  sweet,  spiritual 
tones  of  the  violin. 

I thought  we  were  going  on  a lecture  tour.  But  now  we  seem 
bound  for  Vanity  Fair.  While  we  were  in  Canada,  every  one  said  we 
were  "wonderful,  fascinating,  charming  and  beautiful  women,"  I was 
"the  great  pupil,"  Teacher  was  "the  great  teacher,"  and  mother 
was  "the  great  mother."  Flowers,  compliments,  honors  and 
salvoes  were  showered  upon  us  ^erever  we  went,  and  nothing  was 
talked  about  but  us  three  celebrities. 

Really,  our  audiences  were  so  enthusiastic  and  warm-hearted,  they 
almost  killed  us  with  their  love.  After  each  lecture  they  gave  us  a 
royal  reception.  In  Ottawa  we  spoke  for  the  blind,  and  in  Toronto 
for  the  high  school,  and  in  London  for  the  Froebel  Society.  The 
Society  met  us  at  the  station,  and  after  the  lecture  we  had  re- 
freshments with  them  at  their  rooms.  They  also  saw  us  off  wdien  we 
left  London,  and  they  sent  us  on  our  way  with  homo  made  cansies 
and  flowers.  Altogether,  we  had  quite  a royal  progress  in  Canada. 

Teacher  nearly  teased  the  democratic  heart  out  of  me  by  saying  that 
I looked  more  queenly  every  day. 


We  had  a sleigh  ride  in  Ottawa,  but  saw  nothing  to  set  the 
Charles  on  fire.  I expected  that  there  would  be  six  feet  of  snow, 
and  lo,  I found  only  three  Inchesl  Indeed,  I thought  wdiat  I felt  of 
the  Canadian  winter  was  as  mild  as  a sucking  dove.  It  rained  the  day 
we  arrived  in  Toronto:  so  we  didn't  have  a chance  to  go  sight-seeing. 

It  has  been  a scramble  for  us  all  day  long.  This  morning  we  were 
invaded  as  usual  by  reporters  and  photofraphers,  and  this  afternoon  we 
held  a reception  as  a sort  of  advertisement  for  the  lecture.  Then 
came  the  Quartette!  I expect  that  they  will  have  us  flying  in  an 
aeroplane  next  "for  publicity." 

January  14th.  Well,  well,  after  all  our  preparations,  the 
lecture  went  off  joyously — the  audience  scarcely  applauded,  and 
they  laughed  only  once  or  twice  during  Teacher's  lecture,  and  she  was 
so  bright  too!  It  seemed  a marvel  that  so  many  "stiffs"  should  be 
gathered  together  in  one  place.  Never  mind,  we  are  now  off  for  Al- 
bion— not  "perfidious  Albion,"  I trust. 

Love  and  goodbye  for  now. 

Affectionately, 


'Billee, 


Vancouver,  B.  C.,  April  4,  1914. 

Dear  John, 

Your  last  letter  reached  me  in  California  some  weeks  ago:  but  the  days 
and  nights  have  gone  by  in  such  a whirl  that  I have  about  lost  count  of  them,  and 
the  many  letters  in  my  head  have  remained  unwritten^  Until  now  our  rooms  have  been 
full  of  newspaper  people,  photographers,  callers  with  all  kinds  of  questions  a- 
bout  the  blind,  the  deaf,  the  feeble-minded, — and  the  whole  blessed  human  race,  and 
every  kind  of  confusion  that  the  ingenuity  of  men  could  devise.  Sometimes  we  have 
had  fifty  letters,  telegrams  and  telephones  a day,  and  iirtien  we  finally  arrived  on 
the  platform,  we  wondered  if  we  had  a leg  to  stand  on  or  a tongue  in  our  heads-- 
not  always  the  tongue  of  angels,  I fear.  But  now  things  seem  to  be  letting  up  a 
little:  for  I find  myself  writing  to  my  dear  ones  again. 

We  have  now  killed  over  a hundred  lectures  and  many  other  bugbears  besides,  and 
survived.  I really  wonder  that  Teacher  is  able  to  go  on.  I know  you  want  me  to 
tell  you  just  how  she  is.  She  is  very,  very  tired,  though  she  will  NOT  admit  it. 

At  times  she  trembles  so  much  that  we  marvel  when  she  gets  through  the  lecture,  and 
nothing  happens.  J I wonder  how  she  had  the  courage  to  deal  with  those  two  men  Mon- 
day morning,  and  with  Mr.  Withey's  lawyer  the  next  day. 

I cannot  get  out  of  my  mind  the  strange  and  altogether  theatrical  happenings  of 
Monday.  After  Mr.  Withey  had  told  his  rigmarole  about  the  proposed  corporation, 

Mr.  Chapin  called  and  asked  to  see  me.  Teacher  had  no  idea  of  what  was  coming,  and 
she  brought  me  into  the  room.  Mr.  Chapin  sat  by  me  on  the  sofa  and  kept  talking  to 
me,  while  I read  his  lips.  He  asked  about  my  typewriter  which  I was  using,  then  he 
kept  referring  nervously  to  his  Lincoln  lectures  and  telling  how  his  sister  helped 
him  with  his  work.  His  lips  quivered  so  that  I could  hardly  understand  him,  and  to 
my  amazement,  when  I looked  at  him  squarely,  he  shook  all  overt  In  my  fingers  he 
was  the  very  embodiment  of  a guilty  conscience,  and  I knew  he  was  trying  to  ex- 
plain away  something,  to  justify  himself,  to  find  a loophole  of  escape  from  some 


disagreeable  situation.  Suddenly  he  made  angry  gestures  which  I afterwards  under” 
stood  when  Teacher  explained  that  she  had  told  him  what  Mr.  Withey  had  said,  and 
then  blurted  out  that  she  "was  on  to  his  game,"  and  he  had  a fit  of  righteous  indig" 
nation.  Twice  he  seized  my  hand  and  held  it  while  his  own  shook  violently.  I hope 
it  will  never  be  my  lot  to  see  another  such  pitiful  wretch.  And  to  think  that  that 
man  should  be  going  about  the  country  impersonating  Lincoln!  As  soon  as  she  could. 
Teacher  motioned  me  to  go  into  the  next  room.  While  the  two  men,  Mr.  C.  and  Mr.  W. , 
confronted  eacu  other,  mother  told  me  what  had  happened.  Just  as  she  finished, 

Mr.  C.  walked  into  the  room  and  shook  hands  with  me  silently  and  went  out--  and  it 
was  all  over!  Did  you  ever  hear  of  anything  more  theatricakf 
; Well,  our  two  lectures  here  are  over,  and  we  are  almost  killed  with  kindness 
receptions,  teas,  calls  and  motor  drives.  We  have  seen  a little  of  this  wonderful 
country,  the  sea  full  of  islands,  some  quite  bare  and  others  covered  with  ever” 
greens,  the  Gulf  of  Georgia  where  the  Vancouver  fishing-fleet  comes  in,  the  Canadian 
Rockies--  the  most  interesting  mountains  in  the  world.  How  shall  I tell  in  mere 
words  their  majesty  and  glory!  As  you  look  to  the  north  and  west,  you  see  twin  peaks 
called  "The  Lions."  I am  told  that  they  Look  like  the  lions  in  Trafalgar  Square  in 
London.  They  are  always  wonderful,  whether  they  rise  amid  a thousand  mists,  or  the 
sun  circles  them  with  gold,  or  the  stars  pour  their  soft  radiance  upon  their  snowy 
summits.  Some  of  the  mountains  are  partly  covered  with  forests,  and  all  of  them  awe 
us  with  their  great  height.  We  have  also  been  to  Stanley  Park,  where  Pauline  Jofanson, 
the  Indian  poetess,  lies  buried.  It  was  a real  forest  only  a few  years  ago.  They 
have  made  roads  through  its  but  it  is  still  wild  and  magnificent.  It  has  many  im- 
mense firs  and  spruces  filling  the  air  with  damp,  fragrant,  primaeval  odors.  Beau- 
tiful moss  and  lichens  have  taken  possession  of  them,  and  sometimes  one  finds  ferns 
growing  in  great  lengths  at  the  top.  I walked  around  one  of  the  huge  firs,  a 
distance  of  about  fortytwo  feet.  . Its  enormous  roots  grappled  the  soil  like 
cables,  and  its  column-like  trunk  seemed  to  reach  the  clouds! 


I confess,  I had  to  stop  this  letter  because  such  a dreary  feeling  of  homesick- 
ness came  over  me.  But  now  I have  sense  enough  to  remember  that  there  is  no 
home  to  miss  now  because  you  ace  not  there,  and  T turn  my  thoughts  to  fresh  lands 
and  oceans  new.  I try  to  feel  as  I did  when  we  stood  gazing  at  the  Colorado 
Rockies,  our  hearts  and  minds  enlarging  to  embrace  all  that  we  are  capable  of 
doing,  hoping,  suffering  and  believing.  It  is  true,  "Mein  Leben  blilht  nicht  wieder 

auf:"  but  I have  Teacher  and  my  affection  for  you  and  the  hope  of  one  day  rendering 
some  real  service  to  my  fellowmen.  I beseech  you,  be  patient  if  I fail  to  write 

a letter  of  the  "breezy"  kind  you  like.  I feel  like  a singer  Trtioo  filled  with 
sadness,  has  not  sung  for  a long  time,  and  who  must  try  and  try  again,  pushing  her 
voice,  as  it  were,  until  it  rings  out  clear  and  full.  I cannot  sing  joy  now*  but 
perhaps  I can  make  you  want  to  see  more  of  the  world  that  is  wonderful  and  in" 
spiring. 

You  must  surely  visit  the  far  West  sometime,  it  is  the  experience  of  a lifetime. 
All  the  way  from  Colorado  to  Washington  we  have  caught  glimpses  of  blue  sky  and 
snowy  summits  orchards  deluged  with  blossoms  which  made  us  feel  as  if  we  were 
looking  into  heaven.  One  morning,  when  we  were  in  Canyon  City,  Cok. , we  got  up  at 
six  so  that  we  could  take  the  Sky  Line  Drive.  As  we  followed  that  gigzagging  road, 
there  seemed  to  be  nothing  but  wind  and  sky  and  rockt  Sometimes  the  rocks  met 
overhead  in  a great  arch,  and  it  was  twilight.  Then  the  sun  would  fall  upon  the 
walls,  so  that  they  glowed  purple  and  green  and  gold,  and  from  afar  the  mountains 
cast  deep  violet  shadows.  On  our  way  to  Utah,  we  passed  through  the  Royal  Gorge, 

It  was  so  narrow,  I could  almost  touch  the  walls,  which  in  many  places  were  half  a 
mile  high.  Up,  up,  up  we  climbed  until  about  sunset  we  were  fourteen  thousand  feet 
above  the  sea  level.  How  strangely  those  mountains  would  vanish  and  reappear  in 
all  sorts  of  fantastic  shapesi  Sometimes  they  seemed  like  belfries  and  spires  of 
an  immeasurable  cathedral.  Then  they  would  rise  grim  and  terrible,  like  stem 
arbiters  of  the  earth  s doom.  Once  I fancied  they  were  blind  men  lifting  their 


sad  faces  to  the  blue  sky.  At  other  times  they  seemed  like  the  jests  and  whims  and 
freaks  of  the  "Arabian  Nights,"  or  like  great  herds  of  cattle  grazing  ser  nely  in 
the  sunshine.  Teacher  told  me  that  much  of  the  landscape  was  wild,  grim  and  de- 
solate beyond  description.  Afterwards,  on  our  way  to  California,  we  crossed  a 
desert  which  seemed  interminable.  We  came  to  a place  where  not  even  sedge-grass 
could  grow.  But  as  I was  beginning  to  feel  the  desolation  too  deeply,  there  burst 
upon  me  the  fragrance  of  orange  blossoms  and  the  warmth  of  a summer  sunl  Try  to 
imagine  them — the  orange  groves  which  sometimes  grew'  so  close  to  the  track  that  we 
could  have  picked' the  fruit  as  we  sat  by  the  train  window:  the  lovable  dimpled 
hills,  the  deep-breasted,  flower-pranked  valleys  and  wide  tracts  of  luxuriant 
greennessl 

While  we  were  in  California,  kind  people  took  us  motoring  to  many  of  the 
places  where  we  lectured.  I did  not  need  much  description,  as  everything  we 
passed  had  its  own  odor.  I kept  turning  ray  head  to  catch  all  the  odors,  and  ray 
sense  fairly  ached  with  the  delight  of  them — gardens  rioting  with  roses,  narcissi, 
hyacinths,  violets,  lilies  of  the  valley,  orange  groves  without  end  and  those 
big,  pungent  eucalyptus  trees  every'.vhere,  and  vast  fruit  orchards,  some  of  them 
shut  in  by  mountains  with  a flash  of  silvery  crests.  In  some  towns  I noticed  a 
predominating  odor  of  plum  blossoms,  and  in  others  the  air  was  flooded  with  the 
scents  of  cherry  and  peach.  Every  little  while  Teacher  would  exclaim,  "A  whole 
field  of  wild  calla  lilies,"  or  "Millions  of  yellow  poppies — blooming  sunbeams." 
Over  all  the  glad  earth  babyls  blue  eyes  were  strewn  like  sky  dust,  and  above 
floated  the  songs  of  meadow-lark  and  mocking-bird.  The  southern  part  of  Cali- 
fornia has  to  be  irrigated  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  and  when  the  heavy  rain- 
falls come,  they  wash  away  a great  deal  of  the  soil  . That  means  a most  expensive 
Eden  for  the  people  to  keep  in  that  region.  But  as  we  went  farther  north,  we  came 
to  many  lovely  streams  and  pools,  and  nature  seemed  almost  overburdened  with  the 
exuberance  of  gtewth  and  blossoming  and  fruitionl 


Mingled  with  all  the  odors 


followed  me  were  those  of  immense  fields  of  alfalfa  and  olive  ranches,  and  through 
them  stole,  like  softest  music,  the  fragrance  of  lilacs  and  breaths  of  heaven — a 
dear  little  white  flower  that  grows  in  masses.  Then  I found  myself  on  the  sea- 
sand,  inhaling  the  wonderful  sai  invigorating  elixir  of  life  poured  out  upon  the 
broad  Pacific!  We  drew  as  near  to  the  water,  I dipped  my  hand  in  it,  and  then  we 
fled  to  escape  the  rolling  waves  with  a sense  of  exultation,  as  if  we  had  shared 
the  momentous  discovery  of  that  mighty  sea  with  Balboa!  We  also  crossed  the 
famous  Bay  of  San  Francisco  and  saw  the  Golden  Gate.  There  was  nothing  golden  or 
especially  picturesque  about  it;  but  through  it  come  and  go  all  the  ships  of  the 
Pacific.  Not  far  from  this  gateway  we  saw  Mount  Tarpeia  which  looked  like  a 
"Sleeping  Beauty,"  and  about  which  they  said  Edwin  Markham  had  written  a fine 
poem.  Sometimes  we  motored  over  the  old  trails  made  by  the  missionaries  and  their 
Indian  converts  a century  ago.  They  would  go  out  every  day  and  sweep  the  roads  to 
keep  them  in  good  condition. 

We  have  just  had  lunch,  and  I ate  a salad  with  almost  every  kind  of  fruit  in 
it — pineappke,  orange,  grapefruit,  cherries,  bananas  and  peaches.  Think  of  all 
delicious  things,  take  the  glow  and  flash  of  all  precious  stones,  imagine  the 
essences  of  all  sweet  flowers  spilled  upon  every  available  inch  of  ground,  and  you 
have  California. 

A while  ago  we  went  up  on  the  roof  of  the  hotel,  sixteen  stories  high,  and 
Teacher  and  mother  were  quite  carried  away  with  tiui  delight  at  the  glorious 
view  of  the  city  There  it  lay  in  its  length  and  breadth  upon  hills  sloping  down 
to  the  water's  edge.  In  the  distance  was  Puget  Sound,  blue  as  the  sky,  and  the 
mountains  far  away  rose  with  gleaming  clouds  wrapt  about  them  like  garments  of 
light.  As  we  were  quite  alone  up  there,  I ran,  jumped,  skipped,  breathed  deeply, 
kicked  like  a young  colt  and  did  my  best  to  shake  off  the  effects  of  six  months' 
confinement  in  hotels  and  trains.  How  good  I felt!  Then  off  we  went  for  a drive 
around  Seattle.  We  went  through  Washington  Park  which  is  most  beautiful,  quite  wild 


and  romantic.  On  one  side  was  a low  wooded  ridge,  and  on  the  other  Lake  Washington, 
extending  for  about  thirty  raileslt  was  a vigorous,  wide  awake  landscape,  happily 
free  from  the  harshness  that  I have  felt  in  the  soil  of  New  England,  frozen  deep 
down  for  months,  and  then  scourged  by  east  winds.  All  growing  things  that  we  passed 
seemed  to  be  a part  of  Easter — wild  heliotropes,  geraniums,  columbines,  rock- 
cresses,  lilacs  and  fruiftrees  tossing  their  flowery  heads  in  the  sea-scented 
breeze.  We  saw  banks  of  ramblers  and  pictured  as  we  best  could  their  glorious 
BXHkK  outburst  of  bloom  a month  or  two  later.  The  wild  curranfbush  is  lovely  here. 
It  is  as  abundant  as  the  huckleberry"  and  blueberry  bushes  of  New  England,  and  much 
more  brilliant.  It  covers  hundreds  of  leagues  and  seems  to  set  the  hills  on  fire. 

Easter  morning.  I have  just  received  a most  interesting  book,  "The  Mountain  that 
Was  Gold,"  from  Mr.  John  Williams,  who  heard  us  lecture  in  Tacoma,  This  book  con" 
tains  delightful  descriptions  and  splendid  pictures  of  Mount  Tacoma.  I think  you 
will  enjoy  looking  it  over  when  we  send  it  with  other  things  to  Boston  later.  We 
had  glimpses  of  that  great  mountain,  "lord  of  sun  and  air,  monarch  of  the  coast," 
while  we  were  in  Tacoma.  It  was  sixty  miles  away*  but  in  the  clear  air  it  looked  as 
if  it  was  only  six  or  eight  miles  distant.  They  told  me  it  was  an  easy  mountain  to 
climb.  I intend  to  spend  a month  around  there  sometime  and  go  to  the  very  top  where 
snow  and  ice  and  crags  have  held  the  rampart  for  ages. 

I hope  the  sun  is  as  pleasant  for  you  today  as  it  is  for  us.  Beside  caressing 
us,  it  wakes  all  beautiful  memories  that  lie  folded  in  the  core  of  our  hearts.  Among 
them  is  the  Smiley  Drive  along  which  we  motored  when  we  v^ere  in  Redlands,  Cal.  I 
recall  how  we  climbed  and  climbed  from  splendor  to  splendor.  Oh,  the  many-hued 
clouds  that  floated  by  usi  Oh,  the  deep  valleys  that  lay  white  in  the  curved  arms  of 
the  everlasting  hillsl  Above  towered  overhanging  cliffs.  Below  were  countless 
orchards,  leagues  upon  leagues  of  drifting  petals,  as  if  an  angel  army  had  camped  on 
every  slope.  From  the  soft  flutter  of  their  wings  wave  upon  wave  of  sweetness  rose 
to  us  as  we  stood  on  the  cliffs.  Whenever  we  turned  a corner,  there  was  spread  be- 


7 


fore  us  heaven's  cloth  of  gold.  I got  out  to  pick  violets  and  baby's  blue  eyes,  a>^d 
I cannot  tell  you  the  sensations  which  overflowed  me  like  a tide  when  I stood 
breast-high  in  the  odors  of  a thousand  flowers  wild  hyacinths  and  lilies,  trilliums, 
broom,  heather,  purple  anemones,  an  acre  of  poppies,  wild  lilacs  and  rock-rosesl  I 
almost  succumbed,  I seemed  to  drift  out  into  the  sunshine  filled  with  the  breath  of 
Paradise.  This  reminds  me  that  after  our  lecture  in  Victoria,  B.  C.,  I was  quite 
covered  with  an  amazing  variety  of  wild  flov/ers  which  kind  friends  had  gathered. 

There  was  a large,  lovely  blossom  called  the  globe  flower,  whose  white  chalice  was 
full  of  mountain  dew.  Then  there  was  a basket  of  "queen  cups"  which  resemble  the 
lily  of  the  valley,  only  they  are  larger,  and  have  little  odor.  Again  there  were 
trilliums,  star-flowers  and  Yes,  I love  the  immense,  sprawling,  opulent  West.  But 
I am  afraid  I shall  write  you  to  death  about  it*  so  I must  stop  and  talk  about  other 
things. 

We  have  met  some  fine  people  on  this  tour.  When  we  were  in  Denver,  we  met  Judge 
Lindsay.  After  his  cordial  handshake,  I did  not  wonder  that  he  had  won  the  affec 
tion  and  confidence  of  so  many  children. 

• • 

He  took  us  to  see  his  mother,  n sweet  lady  who  is  almost  completely  deaf.  As  we 
drove  along,  it  was  interesting  to  see  how  every  newsboy  took  off  his  cap  and  waved 
to  him.  He  told  us  about  a case  that  had  just  been  brought  before  him,  the  case  of 
a woman  who  had  seven  children.  Some  people  wanted  to  take  them  away  from  her  on 
the  ground  that  she  could  not  take  proper  care  of  them.  She  had  worked  hard  and  done 
everything  she  possibly  could  for  them.  Judge  Lindsay  refused  to  allow  them  to  be 
taken  from  her;  he  said  that  the  state  should  pay  her  a sufficient  sum  to  enable  her 
to  give  the  children  all  the  care  they  needed.  He  also  told  us  about  Ur.  Tynan 
the  man  who  has  done  so  much  to  help  convicts.  We  called  upon  Mr.  Tynan  for  a few 
minutes  while  we  were  in  Canyon  City,  and  afterwards  we  had  a long  talk  with  him  on 
the  train  from  Pueblo.  We  saw  some  of  the  fine  roads  that  the  convicts  had  built 


8 


under  his  direction  throughout  Colorado.  Many  of  the  men  were  seventy-five  miles 
from  the  prison,  and  without  guards  too.  We  passed  their  camp.  They  were  sitting 
around  smoking,  (it  was  Sunday)  and  they  looked  as  good  as  any  citizen  of  Colorado. 

Mr.  Tynan  said  that  eighty  percent  of  them  developed  into  steady,  useful  men  if  they 
were  given  a chance.  How  good  it  was  to  think  of  them  partly  free,  living  in  the 
splendid  mountain  air,  growing  strong  physically  and  mentally,  working  with  a will 
and  casting  their  dark,  miserable  past  behind  them!  Mr.  Tynan  lets  them  out  of  pri- 
son as  soon  as  he  can,  and  places  the  greatest  confidence  in  them  all,  and  so  far, 
he  said,  he  had  lost  only  two  or  three. 

In  Los  Angeles  Mr.  Beh3rmer  introduced  us  to  Madame  Saltzman"Stevens,  the  opera 
singer.  She  won  my  heart  at  once,  she  was  so  sweet  and  good.  She  sang  for  me 
passages  from  the  V/agner  operas.  To  my  surprise  I had  a new  sensation  in  my  ear.  I 

paid  no  attention  at  first,  thinking  it  was  imagination.  But  there  it  came  again  and 

again — a Sound—  a ringing,  heart-stirring  musical  sound!  Apparently  I HEAD'D  the 
high  notes  of  her  glorious  voice,  and  I know  that  I have  not  had  such  a sensation 
in  my  whole  experience  of  touch.  I remember  that  some  one  yelled  at  some  distance 
from  my  ear  once,  and  I couldn't  bear  it.  But  those  high  notes  in  a rich  voice  were 
wondrous  sweet,  and  I shall  always  feel  as  if  I had  heard  an  angel  sing. 

Madame  Stevens  called  on  us  while  we  were  in  San  Francisco.  She  was  to  begin 

singing  there  that  day,  and  the  city  was  in  a fever  of  expectation.  Think  what  a 

privilege  it  was  for  us  to  have  a visit  from  her,  especially  at  that  time!  She 
Invited  us  to  hear  her  in  "Parsifal"  the  following  Sunday  afternoon,  and  we  ac- 
cepted. We  sat  close  to  the  stage,  and  by  putting  my  hand  on  the  railing  T could 
feel  the  mostxx  finest  vibrations  in  the  world.  The  libretto  had  been  read  to  me; 
so  I could  follow  the  ever  changing  music  of  the  orchestra.  My  heart  went  through 
all  the  gamuts  of  joy  and  sorrow  and  fear  as  the  tragedy  of  the  wounded,  disgraced 
King,  the  fight  of  Parsifal  with  Klingsor,  the  magnificent  chant  of  the  Holy  Grail 


and  the  finak  scene  of  healin''  and  re-awakening  to  a new  life  vibrated  in  my  finger 


9 


Everywhere  our  comrades  greet  us  warmly  and  tell  us  both  how  much  they  want  us  to 
do  all  we  can  for  the  greatest  movement  that  has  yet  come  for  humanity.  I am  now  a 
member  of  the  Loa  Angeles  Local  of  the  Socialist  Party.  They  also  asked  Teacher 
to  join,  and  she  at  once  said  she  would.  But  they  have  not  yet  sent  her  a red  card 
as  they  promised  to.  In  San  Francisco  Mr.  Stitt  Wilson  called  on  us.  He  had  a fine, 
strong  face,  and  his  personality  was  an  inspiration  to  us.  Among  other  things  he 
said  that  I ought  to  make  a plea  for  universal  education  whenever  I could.  I took 
his  suggestion,  and  when  an  opportunity  offered,  I sent  a short  article  on  the  sub- 
ject to  a review  for  teachers  w’hich  is  read  by  thousands  all  over  the  country.  I 
will  send  you  a copy  'nhen  I get  one.  You  see,  I cannot  rest,  I am  feverishly 

seeking  for  new  channels  of  usefulness,  and  I need  you  more  and  more.  No,  dear,  we 

cannot  do  our  best  work  without  you.  We  have  tried,  and  it  is  just  as  if  you  had 
died.  Do  write  to  me  about  things  that  really  interest  us  all,  tell  me  what  you  can 
of  Socialist  news,  and  suggest  how  I can  help  the  workers  as  you  used  to.  We  see 
little  in  the  papers  that  we  care  about,  and  we  can't  always  tell  whether  it  is 
true  or  not. 

I will  write  more  later.  I enclose  a breath  of  heaven  and  a bit  of  redwood. 

Pinch  them,  and  see  how  very  fragrant  they  are.  I am  also  sending  a rock-rose  from 

Washington  Park.  Even  so  do  two  aching  hearts  send  out  thoughts  of  you  and  a 
prayer  for  pity  and  for  a homo. 

Affectionately, 


Helen 


Ill 
0 
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0 
J a. 


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0 


U 0 

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♦ 


I 


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JAMES  WOOOS,  MANAOBft 


0 QX*-o<_  --— v»-ajQv 

0 ' n '' 

■■  iOi  i y :,a<.  '-v-'' 


^'lll 


Until  now  our  rooms  have  been  full  of  newspaper  people, 
photographers,  callers  with  all  kinds  of  questions  about  the 
blind,  the  deaf,  the  feeble-minded,  — and  the  whole  blessed 
human  race,  and  every  kind  of  confusion  that  the  ingenuity  of 
men  could  devise.  Sometimes  we  have  had  fifty  letters, 
telegrams  and  telephones  a day,  and  when  we  finally  arrived 
on  the  platform,  we  wondered  if  we  had  a leg  to  stand  on  or 
a tongue  in  our  heads  — not  always  the  tongue  of  angels,  I 
fear.  But  now  things  seem  to  be  letting  up  a little:  for  I 
find  myself  writing  to  my  dear  ones  again. 

We  have  now  killed  over  a hundred  lectures  and  many  other 
bugbears  besides,  and  survived.  I really  wonder  that  Teacher 
is  able. to  go  on.  I know  you  want  me  to  tell  you  just  how 
she  is.  She  is  very,  very  tired,  though  she  will  NOT  admit 
it.  At  times  she  trembles  so  much  that  we  marvel  when  she 
gets  through  the  lecture,  and  nothing  happens. 

Well,  our  two  lectures  here  are  over,  and  we  are  almost 
killed  with  kindness  — receptions,  teas,  calls  and  motor 
drives.  We  have  seen  a little  of  this  wonderful  country, 
the  sea  full  of  islands,  some  quite  baxe  and  others  covered 
with  evergreens,  the  Gulf  of  Georgia  where  the  Vancouver 
fishing- fleet  comes  in,  the  Canadian  Rockies  — the  most 
interesting  mountains  in  the  world.  How  shall  I tell  in 
mere  words  their  majesty  and  glory.'  As  you  look  to  the 
north  and  west,  you  see  twin  peaks  called  "The  Lions." 


-2- 


I am  told  that  they  look  like  the  lions  in  Trafalgar  Square 
in  London.  They  are  always  wonderful,  whether  they  rise 
amid  a thousand  mists,  or  the  sun  circles  them  with  gold, 
or  the  stars  pour  their  soft  radiance  upon  their  snowy 
summits.  Some  of  the  mountains  are  partly  covered  with 
forests,  and  all  of  them  awe  us  with  their  great  height. 

We  have  also  been  to  Stanley  Park,  where  Pauline  Johnson, 
the  Indian  poetess,  lies  buried.  It  was  a real  forest  only 
a few  years  ago.  They  have  made  roads  through  it:'  but 
it  is  still  wild  and  magnificent.  It  has  many  Immense 
firs  and  spruces  filling  the  air  with  damp,  fragrant, 
primaeval  odors.  Beautiful  moss  and  lichens  have  taken 
possession  of  them,  and  sometimes  one  finds  ferns  growing 
in  great  lengths  at  the  top.  I walked  around  one  of  the 
huge  firs,  a distance  of  about  forty-two  feet.  Its  enormous 
roots  grappled  the  soil  like  cables,  and  its  column-  like 
trunk  seemed  to  reach  the  clouds.' 

I confess,  I had  to  stop  this  letter  because  such  a 
dreary  feeling  of  homesickness  came  over  me.  But  now  I 
have  sense  enough  to  remember  that  there  is  no  home  to 
miss  now  because  you  are  not  there,  and  I turn  my  thoughts 
to  fresh  lands  and  oceans  new.  I try  to  feel  as  I did  when 
we  stood  gazing  at  the  Colorado  Rookies,  our  hearts  and 
minds  enlarging  to  embrace  all  that  we  are  capable  of 


-3- 


doing,  hoping,  suffering  and  believing.  It  is  true,  "Mein 
Leben  bluht  nioht  wieder  auf:"  but  I have  Teacher  and  my 
affection  for  you  and  the  hope  of  one  day  rendering  some 
real  service  to  my  fellov/men.  I beseech  you,  be  patient  if  I 
fail  to  write  a letter  of  the  "breezy"  kind  you  like.  I feel 
like  a singer  who  filled  with  sadness,  has  not  sung  for  a 
long  time,  and  who  must  try  and  try  again,  pushing  her 
voice,  as  it  were,  until  it  rings  out  clear  and  full.  I 
cannot  sing  joy  now:  but  perhaps  I can  make  you  want  to 
see  more  of  the  world  that  is  wonderful  and  inspiring. 

You  must  surely  visit  the  far  West  sometime,  it  is 
the  experience  of  a lifetime.  All  the  way  from  Colorado 
to  Washington  we  have  caught  glin^jses  of  blue  sky  and 
snowy  summits  orchards  deluged  with  blbssoms  which  made 
us  feel  as  if  we  were  looking  into  heaven.  One  morning, 
when  we  were  in  Canyon  City,  Cok. , we  got  up  at  six  so 
that  we  could  take  the  Sky  Line  Drive.  As  we  followed 
that  zigzagging  road,  there  seemed  to  be  nothing  but  wind 
and  sky  and  rock.'  Sometimes  the  rooks  met  overhead  in  a 
great  arch,  and  it  was  twilight.  Then  the  sun  would  fall 
upon  the  walls,  so  that  they  glowed  purple  and  green  and 
gold,  and  from  afar  the  mountains  oast  dep  violet  shadows. 

On  our  way  to  Utah,  we  passed  through  the  Royal  Gorge. 

It  was  so  narrow,  I could  almost  touch  the  walls,  which 


in  many  places  were  half  a mile  high.  Up,  up,  up  we  olimbed 
until  about  sunset  we  were  fourteen  thousand  feet  above  the 
sea  level.  How  strangely  those  mountains  would  vanish  and 
reappear  in  all  sorts  of  fantastic  shapes.'  Sometimes  they 
seemed  like  belfries  and  spires  of  an  immeasurable  cathedral. 
Then  they  would  rise  grim  and  terrible,  like  stern  arbiters 
of  the  earth's  doom.  Once  I fancied  they  were  blind  men 
lifting  their  sad  faces  to  the  blue  sky.  At  other  times  they 
seemed  like  the  jests  and  whims  and  freaks  of  the  "Arabian 
Nights",  or  like  great  herds  of  oattle  grazing  serenely  in 
the  sunshine.  Teacher  told  me  that  much  of  the  landscape 
was  wild,  grim  and  desolate  beyond  description.  Afterwards, 
on  our  way  to  California,  we  crossed  a desert  which  seemed 
interminable.  We  came  to  a place  where  not  even  sedge-grass 
could  grow.  But  as  I was  beginning  to  feel  the  desolation  too 
deeply,  there  burst  upon  me  the  fragrance  of  orange  blossoms 
and  the  warmth  of  a summer  sun.'  Try  to  Imagine  them  — the 
orange  groves  which  sometimes  grew  so  close  to  the  track  that 
we  could  have  picked  the  fruit  as  we  sat  by  the  train  window: 
the  lovable  dimpled  hills,  the  deep-breasted,  flower-pranked 
valleys  and  wide  tracts  of  luxuriant  greenness.' 

While  we  sere  in  California,  kind  people  took  us  motoring 
to  many  of  the  places  where  we  lectured.  I did  not  need  much 
description,  as  everything  we  passed  had  its  own  odor.  I kept 


-5- 


turning  my  head  to  oatch  all  the  odors,  and  my  sense  fairly 
aohed  with  the  delight  of  them  — gardens  rioting  with  roses, 
narcissi,  hyacinths,  violets,  lilies  of  the  valley,  orange 
groves  without  end  and  those  big,  pungent  eucalyptus  trees 
everywhere,  and  vast  fruit  orchards,  some  of  them  shut  in 
by  mountains  with  a flash  of  silvery  crests.  In  some  towns 
I noticed  a predominating  odor  of  plum  blossoms,  and  in  others 
the  air  was  flooded  with  the  scents  of  cherry  and  peach. 

Every  little  while  Teacher  would  exclaim,  "A  whole  field  of 
wild  calla  lilies,"  or  "Millions  of  yellow  poppies  — blooming 
sunbeams,"  Over  all  the  glad  earth  baby's  blue  eyes  wEre 
strewn  like  sky  dust,  and  above  floated  the  songs  of  meadow- 
lark and  mocking-bird.  The  southern  part  of  California  has 
to  be  irrigated  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  and  when  the 
heavy  rainfalls  come,  they  wash  away  a great  deal  of  the 
soil.  That  means  a most  expensive  Eden  for  the  people  to 
keep  in  that  region.  But  as  we  went  farther  north,  we  came 
to  many  lovely  streams  and  pools,  and  nature  seemed  almost 
overburdened  with  the  exuberance  of  growth  and  blossoming 
and  fruition.'  Mingled  with  all  the  odors  followed  me  were 
those  of  Immense  fields  of  alfalfa  and  olive  ranches,  and 
through  them  stole,  like  softest  music,  the  fragrance  of 
lilacs  and  breaths  of  heaven  — a dear  little  white  flower 
that  grov/s  in  masses.  Then  I found  myself  on  the  sea-sand. 


-6- 


inhaling  the  wonderful  Invigorating  elixir  of  life  poured  out 
upon  the  broad  Pacifio.'  We  drew  as  near  to  the  water,  I dipped 
my  hand  in  it,  and  then  we  fled  to  escape  the  rolling  waves 
with  a sense  of  exultation,  as  if  we  had  shared  the  momentous 
discovery  of  that  mighty  sea  with  Balboa.'  We  also  crossed  the 
faunous  Bay  of  San  Francisco  and  saw  the  Golden  Gate.  There  was 
nothing  golden  or  especially  picturesque  about  it:  but  through 
it  come  and  go  all  the  ships  of  the  Pacific.  Not  far  from 
this  gateway  we  saw  Mount  Tarpeia  which  looked  like  a "Sleeping 
Beauty,"  and  about  which  they  said  Edvvin  Meirkham  had  written 
a fine  poem.  Sometimes  we  motored  over  the  old  trails  made 
by  the  missionaries  and  their  Indiaji  converts  a century  ago. 

They  would  go  out  every  day  and  sweep  the  roads  to  keep  them 
in  good  condition. 

We  have  just  had  lunch,  and  I ate  a salac|i(vith  almost 
every  kind  of  fruit  in  it  — pineapple,  orange,  grapefruit, 
cherries,  bananas  and  peaches.  Think  of  all  delicious  things, 
take  the  glow  and  flash  of  all  precious  stones,  imagine  the 
essences  of  all  sweet  flowers  spilled  upon  every  available 
inch  of  ground,  and  you  have  California. 

A while  ago  we  went  up  on  the  roof  the  hotel,  sixteen 
stories  high,  and  Teacher  and  mother  were  quite  carried  away 
with  delight  at  the  glorious  view  of  the  city.  There  it  lay 
in  its  length  and  breadth  upon  hills  sloping  down  to  the  water's 


-7- 


edge.  In  the  distance  was  Puget  Sound,  blue  as  the  sky,  and  the 
mountains  far  away  rose  with  gleaming  clouds  wrapt  about  them 
like  garments  of  light.  As  we  were  quite  alone  up  there,  I ran, 
jumped,  skipped,  breathed  deeply,  kicked  like  a young  colt  and 
did  my  best  to  shake  off  the  effdots  of  six  months'  confinement 
in  hotels  and  trains.  How  good  I felt.':  Then  off  we  went  for 

a drive  around  Seattle.  We  went  through  Washington  Park  which 
is  most  beautiful,  quite  wild  and  romantic.  On  one  side  was  a 
low  wooded  ridge,  and  on  the  other  Lake  ?/ashington,  extending 
for  about  thirty  miles.  It  was  a vigorous,  wide  awake  landscape, 
happily  free  from  the  harshness  that  I have  felt  in  the  soil 
of  New  England,  frozen  deep  down  for  months,  and  then  scourged 
by  east  winds.  All  growing  things  that  we  passed  seemed  to  be 
a part  of  Easter  — wild  he^otropes,  geraniums,  columbines, 
rookcresses,  lilacs  and  fruit-trees  tossing  their  flowery 
heads  in  the  sea-scented  breeze.  We  saw  banks  of  ramblers 
and  pictured  as  we  best  could  their  glorious  outburst  of 
bloom  a month  or  two  later.  The  wild  currant-bush  is  lovely 
here.  It  is  as  abundant  as  the  huckleberry  and  blueberry 
bushes  of  New  England,  and  much  more  brilliant.  It  covers 
hundreds  of  leagues  and  seems  to  set  the  hills  on  fire. 

Easter  Morning.  I have  just  received  a most  interesting 
book,  "The  Mountain  that  Was  Gold,"  from  Mr.  John  Williams, 
who  heard  us  lecture  in  Tacoma.  This  book  contains  delight- 


-8- 


desoriptions  and  splendid  pictures  of  Mount  Tacoma.  I think  you 
will  enjoy  looking  it  over  when  we  send  it  with  other  things  to 
Boston  later.  We  had  glimpses  of  that  great  mountain  "lord  of 
sun  and  air,  monarch  of  the  coast,"  while  we  were  in  Tacoma. 

It  was  sixty  miles  away:  but  in  the  clear  air  it  looked  as 
if  it  was  'only  six  or  eight  miles  distant.  They  told  me  it 
was  an  easy  mountain  to  climb.  I intend  to  spend  a month 
around  there  sometime  and  go  to  the  very  top  where  snow  and 
ice  and  crags  have  held  the  rampart  for  ages. 

I hope  the  sun  is  a5 pleasant  for  you  today  as  it  is  for 
us.  Beside  caressing  us,  it  wakes  all  beautiful  memories  that 
lie  folded  in  the  core  of  our  hearts.  Among  them  is  the  Smiley 
Drive  along  which  we  motored  when  we  were  in  Redlands,  Cal. 

I recall  how  we  climbed  and  climbed  from  splendor  to  splendor. 
Oh,  the  many-hued  clouds  that  floated  by  usJ  Oh,  the  deep 
valleys  that  lay  white  in  the  curved  arms  of  the  -everlasting 
hills.'  Above  towered  overhanding  cliffs.  Below  were  countless 
orchards,  leagues  upon  leagues  of  drifting  petals,  as  if  an 
army  had  camped  on  every  slope.  From  the  soft  flutter  of 
their  wings  wave  upon  wave  of  sweetness  rose  to  us  as  we 
stood  on  the  cliffs.  V7henever  we  turned  a corner,  there  was 
spread  before  us  heaven's  cloth  of  gold.  I got  out  to  pick 
violets  and  baby's  blue  eyes,  and  I cannot  tell  you  the 
sensations  which  overflowed  me  like  a tide  when  I stood 


-9- 


breast-high  in  the  odors  of  a thousand  flowers  — wild 
hyacinths  and  lilies,  trilliums,  broom,  heather,  purple 
anemones,  an  acre  of  poppies,  wild  lilacs  and  rock-roses.' 

I almost  succumbed,  I seemed  to  drift  out  into  the  sunshire 
filled  with  the  breath  of  Paradise,  This  reminds  me  that 
after  our  lecture  in  Victoria,  B.C.,  I was  quite  covered 
with  an  amazing  variety  of  wild  flowers  which  kind  friends 
had  gathered.  There  was  a large,  lovely  blossom  called 
the  globe  flower,  whose  white  chalice  was  full  of  mountain 
dew.  Then  there  was  a basket  of  "queen  cups"  which  resemble 
the  lily  of  the  valley,  only  they  are  larger,  and  have  little 
odor.  Again  there  were  trilliums,  star-flowers  and  Yes,  I 
love  the  titmense,  sprawling,  opulent  West.  But  I am  afraid 
I shall  write  you  to  death  about  it:  so  I must  stop  and  talk 
about  other  things. 

We  have  met  some  fine  people  on  this  tour.  When  we  were 
in  Denver,  we  met  Judge  Lindsay.  After  his  cordial  Handshake, 
I did  not  wonder  that  he  had  won  the  affection  and  confidence 
of  so  many  children. 

He  took  us  to  see  his  mother,  a sweet  lady  who  is  almost 
completely  deaf.  As  we  drove  along,  it  was  interesting  to 
see  how  every  newsboy  took  off  his  cap  and  waved  to  him.  He 
told  us  about  a case  that  had  just  been  brought  before  him, 
the  case  of  a woman  who  had  seven  children.  Some  people 


-10- 


want  ed  to  take  them  away  from  her  on  the  ground  that  she 
could  not  take  proper  care  of  them.  She  had  worked  hard  and 
done  everything  she  possibly  oould  for  them.  Judge  Lindsay 
refused  to  allow  them  to  be  taken  from  her:  he  said  that  the 
state  should  pay  her  sufficient  sum  to  enable  her  to  give 
the  children  all  the  care  they  needed.  He  also  told  us 
about  Mr.  Tynan  — the  man  who  has  done  so  much  to  help 
convicts.  We  called  upon  Mr.  Tynan  for  a few  minutes  while 
we  were  in  Canyon  City,  and  afterwards  we  had  a long  talk 
with  him  on  the  train  from  Pueblo.  We  saw  some  of  the  fine 
roads  that  the  convicts  had  built  under  his  direction 
throughout  Colorado.  Many  of  the  men  were  seventy-five 
miles  from  the  prison,  and  without  guards  too.  We  passed 
their  oeimp.  They  were  sitting  around  smoking  (it  was  Sunday) 
and  they  looked  as  good  as  any  citizen  of  Colorado.  Mr.  Tynan 
said  that  eighty  percent  of  them  developed  into  steady,  useful 
men  if  they  were  given  a chance.  How  good  it  was  to  think 
of  them  partly  free,  living  in  the  splendid  mountain  air, 
growing  strong  physically  and  mentally,  working  with  a will 
and  casting  their  dark,  miserable  past  behind  them.'  i!r.  Tynan 
lets  them  out  of  prison  as  soon  as  he  can,  and  places  the 
greatest  confidence  in  them  all,  and  so  far,  he  said,  he 
had  lost  only  two  or  three. 

In  Los  Angeles  Mr.  Behmer  introduced  us  to  Madame 

Satlzman-Stevens , the  opera  singer.  She  won  my  heart  at 
once,  she  was  so  sweet  and  good.  She  sang  for  me  passages 


-11- 


frcw  the  Wagner  operas.  To  my  surprise  I had  a new  sensation 
in  my  ear.  I paid  not  attention  at  first,  thinking  it  was 
imagination.  But  there  it  oame  again  and  again  - a sound  — 
a ringing,  heart-stirring  musioal  sound.'  Apparently  I heard 
the  high  notes  of  her  glorious  voice,  and  I know  that  I have 
not  had  such  a sensation  in  my  whole  experience  of  touch. 

I rememher  that  some  one  yelled  at  some  distance  from  my 
eax  once,  and  I couldn't  beax  it.  But  those  high  notes 
in  a rich  voice  were  wondrous  sweet,  and  I shall  always 
feel  as  if  I had  heard  an  angel  sing. 

Madame  Stevens  called  on  us  while  we  were  in  San 
Francisco.  She  was  to  begin  singing  there  that  day,  and 
the  city  was  in  a fever  of  expectation.  Think  what  a 
privilege  it  was  for  us  to  have  a visit  from  her,  especially 
at  that  time.'  She  Invited  us  to  hear  her  in  "Parsifal"  the 
following  Sunday  afternoon,  and  we  accepted.  We  sat  close 
to  the  stage,  and  by  putting  my  hand  on  the  railing  I could 
feel  the  most  finest  vibrations  in  the  world.  The  libretto 
had  been  read  to  me:  so  I could  follow  the  ever  changing 
music  of  the  orchestra.  My  heart  went  through  all  the  gamuts 
of  joy  and  sorrow  and  fear  as  the  tragedy  of  the  wounded, 
disgraced  King,  the  fight  of  Parsifal  with  Klingsor,  the 
magnificent  chant  of  the  Holy  Grail  and  the  finak  scene  of 
healing  and  re-awakening  to  a new  life  vibrated  in  my  fingers. 


454  Franklin  Street,  Buffalo,  New  York, 

May  11,  1914. 

Dear  John, 

While  we  were  at  a photographer's  this  morning.  Teacher  had  a 
fall,  and  was  badly  bruised.  She  had  to  go  to  the  hospital.  Tomorrow 
they  will  use  a X Ray  to  see  if  any  bones  are  broken.  We  feared  that 
she  had  broken  her  arm*  but  they  say  they  hopenahe  But  there  is  some- 
thing wro  g with  her  elbow,  and  she  has  her  arm  in  a cast  for  the  pre- 
sent. I will  let  you  know  just  how  she  is  tomorrow.  It  does  seem  a 
shame  that  she  should  have  this  in  addition  to  all  the  worries  she  has 
had  the  past  few  months. 

Mrs.  Lewis  and  her  daughter  were  wdth  us  when  Teacher  fell,  and 
they  most  kindly  invited  mother  and  me  to  stay  with  them  a day  or  two, 
until  we  can  leave  Buffalo.  3o  here  we  are  with  good,  helpful  friends, 
receiving  every  attention  and  being  made  comfortable  in  every  possible 
way.  They  are  indeed  lovely  people.  , 

As  to  the  furniture,  you  need  not  do  anything  about  it  until  you  hear 
about  our  plans. 

Lovingly, 

Helen 


Soi 

are  very 


John 

letters 


t ■ r, 

Dear  John: 

Here  we  are  safe  and  sound  in  Piqua,  in 
spite  of  all  the  gloomy  prognostications  of  our 
friends  in  New  York.  We  didn?t  telephone  you  yes- 
terday because  we  hadn?t  a free  moment;  so  I am  wrl- 
ing  to  you  now.  Well,  wo  had  a long  conference  with 
Mr.  Pond,  Mr.  Glass  and  Mr.  Ellsworth,  and  we  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  them  to  confess  that  they  had  not 
made  all  they  could  out  of  their  "stars," — they  didntt 
read  them  aright.  Now  we  are  going  on  as  before,  as 
it  seems  the  only  fair  thing  to  do.  I hope  that 
Mr.  Glass  will  manage  things  better  after  this,  and 
certainly  there  are  two  joys  ahead  of  us — our  visit 
in  Montgomery  and  the  few  days  with  you  at  home. 

We  are  still  full  of  our  delightful  visit  to 
Mr.  Edison.  It  was  a wonderful  experience  for  me  to 
meet  the  man  from  whose  brain  flashed  forth  the 
thought  that  turned  the  night  into  dayl  We  also  met 
his  wife  and  daughter,  and  Mr.  Gutchinson,  tge  one  who 
tested  my  hearing  years  ago  in  Cambridge.  Mr.  Edison 
is  very  deaf,  you  know,  and  ho  couldnit  understeind  me. 
He  said  my  vowels  were  all  right;  but  he  couldntt  get 
my  consonants.  How  I wish  I could  have  some  one  like 

him  to  hoar  me  every  dayl  Then  I am  sure  I should 


catch  that  baffling,  heartbreeJcing,  brain-racking 
will-ot-the-wisp  of  natural  speech. 

I sat  by  Mr.  Edison  and  read  his  lips  as  he  talked 
to  me  about  his  Inventions.  He  expects  soon  to  perfect 
a machine  that  will  produce  speaking  pictures.  He 
told  me  that  it  would  be  possible  for  me  to  lecture  all 
over  the  country  in  this  way  >rtiile  I slept!  How  com- 
fortable that  sounds!  I asked  him  if  he  thought  some- 
thing could  bo  invented  that  would  enable  the  blind 
to  road  ink  print  books,  and  he  said  "Yes,  I do. " He 
tried  it  once.  I begged  him  to  keep  on,  and  he  said 
he  would.  He  showed  me  his  marvellous  phonograph,  and 
for  a few  minutes  I tried  to  feel  the  music  by  placing 
my  hand  on  the  instrument.  But  there  were  so  many 
voices  Inside  struggling  to  be  heard  that  I must  listen 
hard  to  get  any  vibration.  Then  Mr.  Edison  put  a hat 
in  my  hand  ?diich  I held  before  the  instrument,  and  lo, 
my  fingers  were  thrilled  with  the  sweetest  strains, 
full,  rich  and  varied.  Some  one  else  wanted  me  to 
tx^  his  hat  for  the  same  purpose,  and  I found  it  still 
more  musical.  I had  good  fun  with  it.  By  way  of  ex- 
periment I laid  my  cheek  against  it,  then  touched  it 
with  my  lips  and  put  it  up  to  my  forehead.  All  the 
time  I felt  merry  laughter  in  the  hat,  I know  the 


others  were  joking,  and  I suspected  whose  hat  it  was-- 
Mr.  Hutchinsonts.  I asked  Mr.  Edison  iriiat  kind  of  wood 
I might  use  with  advantage  to  observe  my  speech  while  I 
practiced,  and  he  said  he  would  have  something  arranged 
for  me.  He  also  invited  us  to  spend  a day  at  his  labora- 
tory next  May,  and  he  seclared  that  something  must  come 
of  it.  A day  at  Mr.  Edisonts  laboratory  idiich  I hear  is 
guarded  by  detectives — can  you  believe  it'  I feel  as 
if  I had  but  dreamed  it,  and  yet  Teacher  gives  her 
testimony  that  our  wizard  of  light  and  sound  wishes  me 
to  enter  that  sanctum  sanctorum  and  have  a glimpse  of 
the  secrets  of  his  glorious  art.  You  may  be  sure,  that 
will  Interest  me  vastly  more  than  all  that  I saw  at  the 
physical  laboratory  in  Washingtob.  I have  loved  him  for 
a long  time  because  of  his  tireless  patience  and  en- 
thusiasm in  the  service  of  humanity,  and  now  I know 
him  as  one  of  the  dearest,  kindest  men  I have  ever  met. 
Before  we  left,  Mrs.  Edison  gave  us  some  wonderful 
lilies  of  the  valley  and  arbor  vitae  carnations  which 
made  me  think  of  those  that  I smell  in  dreams.  Of 
course  I was  thinking  only  of  the  king,  and  didntt 

notice  the  place.  But  Teacher  says  his  home  is  very 

I am  Indeed  fortunate.  In  less  than  a week 

beautiful. 

I have  seen  and  talked  face  to  face  with  two  great 


benefactors  of  men,  Dr.  Montes.sorl  anc!  I!r.  Edison. 
Tl'.elr  interests  d;lf‘'er  vldely,  *t  is  rue;  but  they 
labDr-.’ilAhpqqial  fervor  to  give  us  our  true  kingdom 
in  the  senses. 

r^e  came  off  with  filling  colors  from  our  two  engage- 
ments in  Brooklyn,  and  slept  the  sleep  of  the  just. 

We  look  forward  to  a pleasant  time  tonight.  I will 
write  more  later.  This  is  the  first  long  letter  iTve 
written  on  this  machine;  so  you  will  \mderatand  if  you 
find  mistakes  in  it.  ItTs  a Herculaneum  effort,  as 
the  little  school  boy  said,  for  me  to  remember  my 
letters.  A,  D,  G,  H,  etc,  etc. 

Witg  love  from  your  wandering  Ishmaelites,  I am. 
Affectionately, 

Helen 

Piqua,  Ohio, 


December  fifteenth. 


TOO  UOOMS  TOO  H.VTIIS 


® ^ ^ I-®  • Y.  HOTEL  STAT  LER  - at  swan  and  wash  inoton  streets  • a so  rooms  - 

UNDER  SAME  MANAGEMENT  WITH  STATLER  SERVICE  AND  IDEAS. 


A50  BATHS 


I'ontiio’.-ica’y , ’'arch  5bh,  1917 


'■  Dearest  Teacher: 

I - v./U3t  think,  lasb  Friday  v/as  my  soul-birthday,  and  I had  to,  spend 
j that  day  of  days  away  from  youl  Do  you  realize  it?  Thirty  years  ago 

you  ceme  to  a quiet  village,  you,  a young  girl  all  alone  in  the  world, 

*< 

handicapped  by  imperfect  vision  and  want  of  experience  — you  came  and 

^ -Y*  V ■ -IW, 

( "dp»na5^  lif  e 'ts  shut  portals  and  let  in  joy,  hope,  knowledge  and  friend- 

I 

i ship*  Jiy  brain  is  as  a disc  upon  which  the  finger  of  God  has  traced 

j 

j the  record  of  the  waking,  the  resurrection,  the  glory,  the  eternal 
blessedness  of  the  day  I was  born  again.  I play  this  wondrous  record 
I over  and  over,  and  ir.y  soul  exults,  trembles,  aspires  under  the  holy 

I 

influence  of  its  living  strain.  I pray  that  ’’this  doomed  time  may 
1 build  up  in  me  a thousand  graces  which  sliall  thus  be  thine,"  and 
I repay  you  for  that  mighty  deliverance,  God  ble.sa  you,  my  teacher, 
j from  everlasting  to  everlasting. 

' Ycur  affocL  J onat.c 


Helen , 


' ' \ 


COPT 


93  Seminole  Avenue 
Forest  Hills, New  York 


September  8,  1927 


Dear  Mr.  Doubleday, 

At  this  moment  I am  sure  of  only  two  things.  One  is  the  realization 
that  I have  for  some  days  been  a thorn  in  the  flesh  of  my  publishers.  The 
other  is  your  kindness  and  forbearance.  I kncuv  that  very  fevr  publishers 
would  have  viewed  so  unprotestingly  an  author's  attempt  to  kill  the  goose 
that  might  lay  golden  eggs  .just  because  the  poor  bird  had  lost  a fevf  bright 
feathers . 


I am  constrained  to  hope  that  I shall  be  glad  later  on  that  fate 
intervened,  and  saved  the  life  of  the  goose,  since  so  many  people  admire  it. 
T.fayhap  it  is  a comelier  goose  than  I at  first  thought. 

I know  that  all  the  "fuss"  about  "My  Religion"  has  caused  annoyance 
to  everybody.  I am  sorry.  I wish  I had  been  wise  enough  to  see  the  im- 
possibility of  making  over  hurriedly  and  arbitrarily  a book  w;iich  in  its 
very  nature  is  the  spontaneous  overflowing  of  a heart  at  peace.  Far  better 
that  Faith  should  limp  with  a smile  than  beat  its  wings  against  a despot's 
gate  1 


As  I review  the  situation,  I see  that  it  was  a natural  and  un- 
avoidable result  of  my  method  of  work.  Hammering  out  ideas  in  the  dark 
without  being  able  to  see  what  one  is  doing  is  one  of  the  most  exasperating 
trials  of  blindness.  But  the  dark  is  bright  with  pleasant  thoughts  too, 
and  it  will  always  be  gratifying  to  me  to  remember  your  generous  attitude 
toward  ny  book,  and  twward  me. 

Deeply  regretting  the  trouble  I have  made,  I am. 

Sincerely  and  gratefully  yours. 


(signed)  Helen  Keller 


i- 


0^ 


Dear  Nellia,  ^ 

I have  a funny  feeling  about  this  autobiography.  I am  going 
to  write  what  I feel  because  it  is  hard  for  a deaf  person  to  carry 
on  arconversation,  and  it  is  easy  to  confuse  the  matters  under 
discussion. 

I realized  from  your  reaction  to  the  changes  I made  in  the 
first  chapters  that  we  did  not  have  the  same  thing  in  mind.  Apparent- 
ly, you  thought  I would  read  the  manuscript,  only  changing  a. word  or 
phrase  here  and  there,  and  perhaps  malce  suggestions.  My  idea  was 
that  I could  do  anything  I liked  with  it,  I can  easily  see  that 
what  I did  to  it  might  not  improve  it,  and  we  might  have  to  talk  it 
all  over,  as  Mr.  Many  and  I used  to.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to 
have  any  idea  of  a chapter  as  a whole  from  reading  the  end  of  a 
paragraph  and  the  beginning  of  another. 

My  deafness  prevents  me  from  getting  as  quickly  as  my  teacher 
does  what  the  connection  is.  I confess  that  most  of  the  time  I am 
utterly  confused.  We  are  reversing  the  procedure  that  I used  to 
follow  in  the  madcing  of  my  other  books.  I wrote  the  book  as  well 
as  I could^  Then  Mr.  Macy  read  it,  made  suggestions  and  advised  me 
about  the  construction.  If  I liked  his  idea,  I agreed,  and  he 
recast  the  page.  All  the  material  was  there,  and  we  selected  what 
seemed  best. 

Now  the  material  is  in  Garden  City,  and  you  bring  at  intervals 
several  days  apart  chapters  which  are  hurriedly  read  to  me  in  parts. 

It  is  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  keep  the  matter  or  the  sequence 
in  mind. 

Please  do  not  think,  Nella,  that  in  stating  these  facts  I 


intend  the  slightest  criticism  of  you.  But  I do  feel  that  the 
book  is  more  yours  than  mine,  although  I may  have  written  every 
word.  It  seems  to  me,  it  is  like  putting  a lot  of  colored  yarns 
into  a basket,  and  then  ajperson  selects  the  color  and  the  pattern 
and  weaves  the  tapestry.  The  yarn  may  have  been  spun  from  my 
substance;  but  the  tapestry  is  not  mine  any  more  than  a beautifvil 
dress  is  the  work  of  the  silkworm.  It  is  almost  the  same  way  that 
captains  of  industry  make  books. 

As  I see  the  book  now,  it  is  our  joint  work,  and  should  bear 
your  name  on  the  title-page  with  mine. 


Affectionately, 


Helen 


) 


■:  V ' 


Dearest  Della, 

Lly  heart  is  full  of  lovely  Dev/  Year  wishes  for  you 
and  Keith.  May  1930  bring  a fulfilment  of  your  hearts' 
desires.  V-Tiat  more  can  we  wish  for  any  one? 

Your  letter  came  Dew  Year  Lay  a precious  symbol 

of  friendship.  Teacher  and  I both  know  that  v;e  have  no 
better  friend  in  the  v/orld  than  yourself;  but  it  is  sweet 
to  ha.ve  it  v/ritten  out  in  dots  that  caress  my  fingers, 
just  as  lovers  repeat  over  and  over  the  name  of  the  loved 
one.  V/hen  I gpow  discouraged,  and  things  get  on  their  ear 
and  refuse  to  proceed  in  orderly  fashion,  I remember  that 
I have  a friend  in  Ga,rden  City  who  will  take  things  by 
the  other  ear  and  set  them  on  their  feet  again. 

Done  of  my  Christmas  gifts  and  I had  a good 

many plea.sed  me  more  than  the  poems  you  transcribed 

for  me.  Such  gifts  exceed  all  material  valuation.  The 
only  earthly  possessions  I treasure  are  those  in  v/hich  I 
feel  the  throbbing  heart  of  a friend  that  loves  me  for 
myself.  The  poem  "Song  For  A Little  House"  is  darling  I 
It  sounds  as  if  it  v/ere  written  about  your  house,  it  is 
so  like  it  in  fact  and  sentiment.  Lawrence  Lee  and  we 
were  talking  about  you  yesterday.  (V/e  were  having  break- 
fast, 3.  30.  Lawrence  v^as  still  in  his  Tuxedo  ) Lawrence 
expressed  his  conviction  that  you  and  ?'eith  live  in  a way 
to  get  the  best  happiness  out  of  life. 


I also  like  "A  Chorus  Fron  The  Bacchae . " It  embodies 
what  is  finest  in  the  pagan  attitude  towards  life.  I often 
think  the  pagans  had  a more  courageous  conception  of  ae- 
stiny  than  most  Christians. 

"But  whoe'er  can  know, 

As  the  long  days  go, 

That  to  live  is  happy,  h-  th  found  his  heaven  • 

this  is  hardly  to  be  found  in  the  philosophy  of  Christianity. 

The  ancients  let  things  go  of  themselves  and  when  you 

think  of  it,  that  is  the  way  things  happen,  one  after 
another,  with  only  the  loose  allegiance  to  each  other  that 
the  facts  of  life  impose. 

V/ell,  here  endeth  the  first  lesson.  There  are  a flock 
of  thank-you  letters  clawing  me  and  pecking  my  conscience 
in  an  unpagan  insistence  on  being  of  first  importance. 

And  the  "Home  Magazine"  is  shrieking  at  the  top  of  its  voice 
that  it  must  ha.ve  more  inspiration  next  month.  If  I were  a 
tixie  Greek,  instead  of  half  a Christian,  I should  chat  on 
with  you  and  let  the  "Horne  Magazine"  go  hang;  but  alas  .'  in 
these  modern  times  vre  can't  live  by  picking  sun-kissed 
peaches  off  our  garden- walls . 

With  more  Hew  Year  greetings  to  you  and  Keith  from  "the 
iirmortal  Triumvirate,  " as  Elizabeth  Garrett  called  us  in 
her  Christmas  letter,  I am. 


Affectionately  your  friend. 


’ / • 

/ 

/ 

Trout  Hall,  Wendena  Ambo,  Essex,  July  27,  I95O 

Dear  Nella, 

Your  good  letter  "bringing  airs  from  home"  made  us  happy.  It  was  very 
nice  of  you  to  remember  my  birthday,  which  was  solemnized  in  Ireland  by  drink- 
ing a bottle  of  liquid  sunshine,  and  taking  a long  walk  on  Bray  Head,  a 
rocky  spur  of  the  iVicklow  Mountains  in  the  curve  of  which  nestles  a smiling 
bay  on  the  Irish  coast.  Polly  and  I loved  to  climb  the  cliffs  and  catch 
glimpses  of  the  sea  and  the  golden  beach  on  one  side  and  emerald  pastures 
landward.  "O  Gem  of  the  Western  Ocean,"  I love  thee. 

I suppose  one's  fiftieth  birthday  should  be  a sad  occasion,  but,  despite 
that  ancient  number,  I didn't  feel  a bit  sad,  nor  did  I feel  a day  older  than 
when  the  hand  on  the  clock  of  time  pointed  to  twenty-five.  For  the  dews  and 
spring  freshets  have  remained  in  my  heart.  It  was  good  not  to  have  to  wear 
a company  smile  and  make  a silly  speech  about  feeling  fifty  years  young. 
Anniversary  speeches  are  nearly  always  pathetic  in  their  insistence  that  ex- 
perience is  a satisfactory  substitute  for  the  dreams  of  youth.  No  matter 
how  rich  the  experience  life  brings  us,  there  is  always  the  touch  of  melan- 
choly in  the  vanishing  of  the  bright  flowers  of  spring. 

This  touch  of  melancholy  does  not,  however,  prevent  me  from  being  a 
happy  woman  at  fifty.  I find  life  good,  and  I can  still  dream.  The  sober- 
plumaged  dove  has  "the  wing  of  love  and  the  eye  of  faith."  Before  mo  now 
stretches  a more  equable  existence,  sweet er-tempered,  I hope,  certainly  fuller 
than  ever  of  the  desire  to  be  useful,  and  raise  my  voice,  feeble  though  it  be, 
against  the  cruel  things  that  wrong  the  Image  of  God  in  ray  heart. 

One  curious  phenomenon  of  advancing  age  is  a growing  wanderlust.  I am 
eager  to  see  the  vrorld  before  I am  gone  from  it.  That  is  why  we  didn't  re- 
turn to  America  the  end  of  May,  as  we  had  at  first  planned.  The  spell  of 


2 


Britain  was  upon  ue,  and  I thou^^t  ne  might  as  well  near  our  garments  of  en- 
chantment aa  long  as  possible,  and  forget  the  straight  jacket  of  routine  and 
publicity  which  Teacher  and  I have  worn  the  best  part  of  our  lives. 

But  before  I plunge  into  a long  rave  about  our  " derrin-do, " I must  tell 
you  how  much  we  enjoyed  your  news.  We  were  pleased  to  hear  that  you  and  the 
car  had  got  beyond  the  stage  of  experiment  and  misunderstanding,  and  were 
working  harmoniously  together.  If  it  brings  you  and  Keith  oftener  to  95 
Seminole  Avenue,  we  shall  feel  that  Mr.  Henry  Ford  hasn't  lived  in  vain.  'Who 
knows  but  some  day  there  may  be  a shrine  to  him  in  our  garage.*  If  we  could 
get  a little  pool  of  water  to  stsind  in  the  middle  and  vines  growing  over  the 
entrance,  it  would  make  a fair  holy  well,  where  miracles  greater  than  even 
the  "Ford"  might  happen. 

I'm  glad  you  and  Keith  are  going  away  for  a month.  You  didn't  say  Wiiere 
you  will  spend  your  holiday.  I hope  you  will  both  have  as  lovely  a time  as 
we  are  having  in  this  heavenly  bower  of  quietness.  I feel  guilty  w'nen  I 
think  how  ny  friends'  days  are  filled  with  work  and  business  and  botheration, 
while  we  three  truants  spend  untold  hours  "caravaning"  through  rural  England, 
exploring  sequestered  villages,  cathedrals,  Roman  walls,  the  ruins  of  ancient 
abbeys  and  castles,  and  coming  back  at  night  laden  with  a strange  assortment 
of  knowledge  a good  deal  of  it  mythical,  we  think. 

I had  read  in  the  "Weekly  News"  of  the  business  depression,  financial  ^ 
upsets  and  increasing  unemployment  in  the  United  States;  so  I wasn't  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  the  publishing-houses  were  affected  too,  I wonder  what 
will  become  of  the  poor  authors  if  the  public  doesn't  buy  dollar  books.  It 
gives  me  a rather  queer  feeling  to  think  of  "Midstream"  being  sold  in 
United  Cigar  stores.  'We  have  bought  some  copies  of  it  here  to  give  to  friends, 
I have  a notion  that  it  isn't  selling  well.  The  retailers  don't  have  it. 


and  they  send  to  the  publisher  for  it.  In  the  largest  book-store  in  Dublin 
they  hadn't  heard  of  it.'  But  they  didn't  have  a life  of  Parnell  or  O'Connell 
either,  and  they  didn't  know  that  Mrs.  O'Shea  had  written  a biography  of 
Parnell.'.'.' 

Since  coming  to  Essex  we  have  met  the  friends  of  Polly's  sister  through 
w}iom  we  went  to  Looe,  and  who  negotiated  the  renting  of  this  house  for  us. 

They  are  charming  people.  Mr.  Muir  is  a writer,  and  his  wife  sings.  Mr.  Muir 
knows  Mr.  Ilodder,  end  he  told  him  he  had  written  to  me  for  permission  to  bring 
out  an  edition  of  "The  Story  of  My  Life"  and  "Midstream  combined  in  one 
volujne.  Tiie  letter  went  to  New  York,  Eind  has  not  reached  me  yet.  I wonder 
if  Effendi  Imows  about  this  plan,  and  if  he  approves  it. 

I am  delighted  that  the  blind  have  been  successful  in  selling  "Midstream." 
Uncle  waiter  wrote  me  some  weeks  ago  that  up  to  date  they  had  sold  about 
eleven  hundred  copies  out  of  fifteen  hundred,  and  that  they  were -making  a 
joriLftt  of  fifty  cents  on  each  book. 

\7e  have  succeeded  in  keeping  our  visit  to  Britain  a dark  secret.  The 
few  Y)ho  know  our  whereabouts  are  silent  accomplices.  I get  all  the  books  I 
can  read  from  the  National  Lending  Library  for  the  Blind  in  London.  I have 
read  at  least  thirty  volumes  the  past  three  months'  In  Cornwall  I read 
Conrad's  "Almayer's  Folly"  and  "The  Typhoon,"  "Cornish  Ballads,"  Test's 
poems,  Synge's  plays  and  a splendid  selction  of  Russian  stories  in  six 

volumes.  Idy  birthday  brought  me  a holy  mound  of  long  desired  books  "Kin" 

from  Teacher,  "^Tuthering  Heights"  from  Polly,  "Tne  Call  of  the  Wild"  from 
her  sister  and  "VTisdora  and  Destiny"  from  her  brother,  " Scaramouche"  and  "Joan 
of  Arc"  from  Somers  Mark.  You  can  imagine  how  I am  revelling  in  my  riches.' 

Since  you  have  read  my  letter  to  Effendi,  you  Icnow  how  v;e  fell  in  love 
with  Cornwall.  So  I won't  dwell  on  our  Cornish  experiences,  but  I'll  keep 


4 

thorn  In  a special  corner  of  memory  until  our  chats  by  the  fire  in  Forest 
Hills  make  them  live  again. 

You  will  wsint  to  hear  something  about  our  impressions  of  Ireland. 

(Teacher  says  I'm  not  to  include  hers.)  I shall  try  to  keep  hers  separated 
from  mine  and  Polly's.  But  is  that  possible? 

Ireleind  is  a baffling  country lovable,  detestable  and  intensely 

tragic.  Every  minute  of  our  visit  to  that  land  was  brimful  of  interest,  but 
we  were  there  only  two  weeks,  and  naturally  we  couldn't  see  a little  bit  of 
what  we  wanted  to.  1le  took  the  trip  to  fill  in  the  interval  between  leaving 
Looe  and  coning  here.  Our  bungalow  had  to  be  given  up  June  IJth,  and  Trout 
Hall  wasn't  available  until  July  1st.  'He  sailed  from  Plymouth  on  a cargo 
boat,  the  Bally  Cotton,  which  was  great  fun.  V/e  skirted  the  coast  of  Corn- 
wall and  got  a good  view  of  its  rugged  cliffs  and  bold  headlands.  Y/e  landed 
at  (Yaterford  early  in  the  morning,  but  the  car  which  was  to  meet  us  didn't 
come  until  late  in  the  afternoon.  So  we  stayed  aboard,  and  I sat  on  deck 
"listening"  to  the  great  derricks  as  they  lifted  barrels  of  Devonshire  cider 
on  to  the  pier  and  replaced  them  with  barrels  of  Guinness's  stout  and  Irish 
bacon.  0,  how  good  they  both  smelt.*  We  were  anchored  in  the  river  Siir,  be- 
side the  main  street  of  Waterford.  We  could  see  the  traffic,  which  consisted 
principally  of  jaunting-cars  and  little  donkey-carts.  The  donkeys  brought 
the  bacon  to  the  ship,  and  the  stout  came  in  great  trucks.  Waterford  is  a 
ninth  century  town.  It  was  the  only  place  in  all  Ireland  which  successfully 
resisted  Oliver  Cromwell's  victorious  forces,  and  for  that  reason  the  Cava- 
liers called  it  "Urbs  Intacta." 

The  drive  from  Waterford  to  Killarney  was  for  the  most  part  depressing, 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  was  a glorious  day.  It  was  Saturday,  and  the 
road  was  lined  with  donkey-  and  pony-carts.  The  poor  little  animals  were 


5 


nothing  but  skin,  bones  and  misery.  Most  of  the  cottages  were  poor,  and  the 
small  towns  drab  and  silent,  and  the  women  in  their  black  shawls  made  the  scene 
still  more  gloomy. 

The  estate  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire  was  in  vivid  contrast  with  the  poverty- 
stricken  country  surrounding  it.  For  miles  we  followed  his  high  walls.  The 
rhododendrons  and  the  hawthorn  were  in  full  bloom.  They  are  wonderful  from 
bud  to  flower.  Every  hawthorn-tree  is  as  white  as  snow,  or  as  pink  as  a blush- 
ing bride.  It  is  not  only  hedges,  but  whole  groves  and  hill-sides  of  hawthorn. 
The  Irish  will  not  cut  down  a hawthorn-tree,  lest  they  disturb  the  fairy  folk 
who  inhabit  its  covert.  Beside  the  hawthorn  and  the  rhododendrons  there  were 
stretches  where  the  horsechestnut-tree,  pink  and  white,  dominated.  Over  the 
walls  tumbled  golden  laburnums  and  ivy  and  cascades  of  a blue  flower  resembling 
the  forget-me-not.  Then  again  there  were  fuchsia  hedges  higher  than  my  head, 
their  pendant  blossoms  twinkling  in  the  breeze.  We  got  out  of  the  car  to  have 
a better  view  of  the  castle,  an  immense  castle,  beautifully  situated  above  the 
Blackwater  which  rushes  and  tumbles  in  flashing  leaps  and  bounds. 

You  must  see  Killarney,  Nella.  I have  never  in  my  life  had  so  many  adjec- 
tives of  color,  of  grandeur  and  of  romance  poured  into  my  hand  in  an  effort  to 
give  me  scwne  idea  of  the  indescribable  beauty  that  is  Killarney,  and  I have 
never  been  so  put  to  it  to  convoy  to  others  an  idea  of  the  billows  and  tides 
of  fragrance  that  overwhelmed  me  at  the  foot  of  McGillicuddy' s Reeks.'  Can  you 
imagine,  Nella,  mountains  of  rhododendrons  rising  hhber  and  massive  into  the 

bluest  sky  you  have  ever  been  under  white,  crimson,  scarlet,  pink,  buff, 

yellow  and  every  shade  God  has  painted  on  leaf  and  flower.'  Imagine  a road 
winding  in  and  out,  up  and  down,  and  round  sudden  curves  and  through  wild, 
sweet  jungles  of  these  gorgeous  blosstMns.'  As  if  this  was  not  beauty  enough, 
you  come  out  of  a mountain  pass  and  gaze,  breathless  and  trembling,  upon 


6 


"purple  peaks  that  out  of  ancient  woods  arise,"  and  there,  in  the  gorge 
below,  are  silver  lakes,  reflecting  as  in  a row  of  mirrors  all  the  glory  that 
surrounds  them.'  Tore,  the  middle  lake,  we  thought  the  most  beautiful,  but 
when  we  looked  again  at  the  large  lake,  we  decided  it  was  the  most  beautiful, 
all  things  considered.  But  we  had  not  seen  the  Tore  waterfall,  which  was 
hidden  by  holly-trees.  Their  red  berries  glistening  in  the  sun  had  half  blind- 
ed us  until  a little  opening  in  the  screen  of  evergreens  revealed  it  in  all 

its  majesty  a pure  avalanche  of  silver  water  plunging  over  a rock  sixty 

feet  in  height. 

In  the  overpowering  loveliness  of  Killarney  one  almost  overlooks  Ross 
Castle,  Ifuckross  Abbey  and  Brickeen  Bridge  which  spans  the  Meeting  of  the 
Waters,  (not  the  sweet  waters  of  Moore's  song  which  are  in  the  foot-hills  of 
the  Wicklow  Mountains,  but  the  middle  and  lower  lakes. ) There  is  a legend, 
usually  a tragic  one,  connected  with  every  glen,  peak  and  stream,  but  we  had 
no  time  to  hear  them,  although  the  Irish  are  always  ready  to  tell  them  to  any 
one  who  will  listen  with  a reverent  spirit.  One  of  the  famous  drives  in  Killar- 
ney is  to  the  Gap  of  Dunloe  (the  Purple  Mountain.)  It  takes  one  through  many 
historic  places,  among  them  Ballydowney,  (how  I love  the  name.')  said  to  be  the 
birth-place  of  Robert  Etemet,  and  the  ruin  of  the  house  of  stone  where  Daniel 
O'Connell  was  born,  and  where  we  ate  our  picnic  luncheon  beside  the  wall  which 
divided  the  gardens  and  orchards  from  the  lawn.  The  lawn  is  now  a free  pasture 
for  cows,  goats  and  horses.  The  animals  were  very  curious  about  us,  and  came 
so  near,  I could  smell  their  sweet  breath.  One  of  the  cows  actually  lay  down 

at  our  feet.  A pretty  picture  it  was  the  old  ruin  covered  with  vines 

growing  between  the  stones.  Teacher  and  Polly  could  see  a bay  in  the  distance 
throu^  the  broken  arches  of  doors  and  windov/s.  I sat  on  the  big  rock  where 
little  Daniel  used  to  study  his  lessons. 


7 


I wonder  if  there  is  any  other  place  in  the  world  where  superlative 
beauty  and  grandeur  are  so  startlingly  contrasted  with  bleak  poverty  and  hope- 
lessness as  in  the  County  Kerry.  One  can  begin  a drive  at  what  seems  to  be  the 
gate  of  Paradise,  and  in  a few  minutes  be  surrounded  by  heart-breaking  barren- 
ness. For  hours  we  drove  through  desolate  bog-lands,  rooky  wastes  where  a 
crow  must  needs  carry  its  rations  if  it  would  survive,  hill-sides  so  com- 
pletely covered  with  rocks  that  not  even  the  hardy  gorse  can  find  a foothold, 
and  past  miserable  cabins,  some  of  than  without  window  or  chimney,  built  below 
the  road,  for  protection,  I suppose.  One  could  easily  believe  that  pigs  and 
fowls  shared  the  meagre  shelter  of  these  hovels.  Generally  there  was  peat 
stacked  up  at  the  side  of  the  cottage,  but  sometimes  there  was  not  even  that 
si0i  of  human  comfort.  The  thatch  on  the  roofs  was  oifften  so  rotten  that  grass 
and  weeds  were  growing  out  of  it.  One  cottage  we  saw  was  beautiful  with  wild- 
roses  literally  growing  out  of  the  roof  and  climbing  up  over  the  rubble  walls 
of  the  cottage.  The  black  shawls  of  the  women  seemed  to  drip  despair  as  they 
carried  bricks  of  peat  in  baskets  from  a hill-top  or  water  from  a distant 
stream  or  scraggy  bunches  of  sea-weed  to  fertilize  their  wretched  little 
plots.  And  the  solitary  chapels  scattered  about  the  bog  country  seemed  to 
symbolize  the  dumb  cry  of  baffled  souls  to  a heaven  that  answers  not. 

Yet  I suppose  some  people  would  find  a sort  of  artistic  charm  in  the  wild, 
sombre  landscape.  Polly  said  the  cloud  effects  wore  exquisite,  and  the  sha- 
dows of  the  rocks  grotesque  in  the  evening  sunlight. 

Once  these  vast  bog-lands  wore  superb  forests,  and  in  times  of  war  the 
people  took  refuge  in  than.  It  was  a common  saying  that  the  Irish  could  never 
be  tamed  while  the  loaves  were  upon  the  trees.  When  Queen  Elizabeth  hoard  this, 
she  ordered  the  Irish  forests  to  be  felled.  The  work  was  so  thoroughly  done, 
not  a single  tree  or  bush  survived. 


8 


The  Kerry  dancers  are  an  expression  of  the  contrasts  and  humors  of  the 
Irish.  Polly  and  I went  in  a jaunting-car  to  see  a dance.  A spot  is  chosen 
at  the  meeting  of  roads,  and  every  Sunday  evening  the  young  people  from  the 
neighboring  farms  gather  and  dance  to  the  accompaniment  of  a clarinet,  with 
swift,  light  feet  that  seem  to  strike  lightning  from  the  ground.  With  the 
purple  mountains  of  Killarney  for  a background  and  in  the  distance  a stream 
aglow  with  the  last  kiss  of  the  sun  they  dance  on  and  on,  until  their  gaiety 
is  turned  into  a grim  endurance  trial.  Then  the  night  descends  upon  them, 
and  the  Irish  maidens  whisper,  Come  away, 

"All  the  world  is  weary  now, 

'Tis  the  twili^t  of  the  ages, 

And  it's  time  to  quit  the  dance." 

'He  spent  two  days  in  Limerick  trying  to  find  out  something  about  Teacher's 
parents.  We  were  not  successful.  If  we  had  known  the  parish  in  which  they 
lived,  there  would  have  been  no  difficulty.  We  went  to  Castle  Connell,  a few 
miles  from  Limerick,  thinkng  it  was  a likely  place,  as  we  were  told  some 
Sullivans  lived  there.  Polly  called  on  the  priest,  but  he  could  give  her  no 
information.  She  also  visited  the  little  church  whore  the  records  of  births, 
marriages  and  deaths  are  kept,  only  to  find  that  the  records  date  no  further 
back  than  i860.  Wo  also  called  on  another  priest  at  Cratloe,  and  he  promised 
to  look  up  his  records,  but  wo  have  not  heard  from  him. 

Polly  and  I climbed  to  the  very  top  of  Cratloe  Castle,  a magnificent 
ruin  nine  centuries  old.  From  the  tower  we  had  a fine  view  of  the  Shannon, 
Limerick  and  the  surrounding  country.  One  of  the  poignant  fascinations  of 
Ireland  is.  the  weird  bairn ty^  that  hangs  about  all  its  beauty. 

"Tread  where  wo  may  on  Irish  ground 
From  Antrim's  coast  to  wild  Capo  Clear, 


From  east  to  west  no  view  is  found 


9 


Without  some  ruin,  rath  or  mound 
To  tell  of  times  that  were.  " 

Father  Wallace,  the  priest  at  Cratloe,  is  building  a grotto  in  imitation 
of  Lourdes  where,  he  believes,  many  miracles  will  be  performed.  The  people 
give  their  labor,  and  the  priest  collects  funds  from  visitors.  We  each  made 
a donation,  feeling  sure  that  Teacher's  parents  would  have  contributed  if  they 
could.  Our  names  will  be  inscribed  on  the  tablet,  and  a special  blessing  will 
be  ours  when  the  grotto  is  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  afflicted  and  the 
sorrowing. 

Dublin  is  a fine  city,  divided  in  two  parts  by  the  Liffey  River.  We 
were  told,  twelve  bridges  span  the  river  in  a distance  of  two  and  a quarter 
miles.  There  are  many  monuments  to  Ireland's  sons  in  the  streets  and  squares 

Burke,  Goldsmith,  Moore,  O'Connell.  (One  of  the  bridges  is  named  for 

him. ) There  is  a beautiful  statue  of  Parnell  by  St.  Gaudens.  It  is  one  of 
the  two  things  by  him  in  Great  Britain.  The  other  is  a statue  of  Stevenson 
in  St.  Giles  Cathedral,  Edinburgh.  We  really  saw  very  little  of  Dublin. 

Polly  and  I walked  in  St.  Stephen's  Green,  and  we  drove  through  Phoenix  Park. 

V/e  didn't  visit  Trinity  College,  although  it  was  only  a block  or  two  from 
our  hotel.  I feel  that  I have  about  as  clear  an  idea  of  the  city  as  a mole 
has  of  the  dimensions  of  the  earth  he  burrows  in. 

We  loved  the  Wicklow  County.  It  is  called  the  Garden  of  Ireland.  We 
spent  a happy  week  at  Bray,  one  of  the  lovely  seaside  resorts,  about  eight 
miles  from  Dublin.  The  Wicklow  Mountains  are  very  beautiful.  Some  of  their 
peaks  are  most  graceful.  Tliey  are  called  in  Gaelic  "Gilded  Spears"  because 
they  catch  the  first  rays  of  sunrise  and  continue  to  reflect  the  golden  bemas 
of  the  sunset  long  after  twili^t  has  fallen  on  their  emerald  glens.  Nestling 


10 


between  the  lofty  mountains  is  the  Vale  of  Avoca,  made  immortal  by  Moore's 
"Meeting  of  the  '.Vaters. " 

"There  is  not  in  the  wide  world  a valley  so  sweet. 

As  that  vale  in  whose  bosom  the  bri^t  waters  meet." 

Although  Teacher's  and  Polly's  fingers  spelled  every  minute,  yet  they  declared 
they  simply  couldn't  impart  to  me  the  tender  grace  of  wood  and  water  in  their 

setting  of  emerald  hills now  stem,  now  gentle,  now  rugged,  now  dimpling 

with  smiles.'  All  is  at  still  as  a dream.  Then  a trout  leaps  out  of  the 
bright  waters,  an  eagle  soars  above  a cliff,  the  wild  deer  dash  through  the 
green  dells  to  drink  at  a gurgling  stream  which  laughs  in  the  sunshine.  The 
Impression  I got  was  one  of  soft,  entrancing  beauty  a land  never  forgot- 

ten of  the  eye  that  has  seen  it. 

Since  July  1st  we  have  been  settled  here  in  Essex.  Trout  Hall  sounds 
very  grand,  doesn't  it?  7/ell,  it  isn't  a castle  or  a palace  or  a mansion, 
it  is  a delightful  country  house,  not  particularly  handsome,  but  comfortable. 
It  is  four  hundred  years  old.  I am  writing  this  letter  in  the  old  sitting- 
room.  The  ceiling  is  very  low,  and  the  floor  undulates  like  the  deck  of  a 
ship.  There  is  a great  fire-place  at  one  end,  and  at  the  other  a large  case- 
ment window  which  lets  in  all  the  sun  there  is.  It  has  rained  almost  con- 
tinuously for  a week;  but  really  we  can't  complain;  for  the  weather  has  been 
glorious  ever  since  we  landed  the  middle  of  April.  The  rain  was  badly  needed. 
The  crops  were  beginning  to  suffer  from  the  drought,  and  our  flowers  were 
athirst  for  sweet  showers.  The  swifts  build  nests  under  the  eaves  which  I 
can  easily  reach,  and  they  make  a great  fuss  when  I come  too  near  them. 

When  they  are  disturbed,  they  fly  about  like  a flurry  of  snow,  filling  the 
air  with  the  boating  of  their  wings  and  a queer,  whining  sound.  I love  to 
sit  on  the  window-sill  and  road,  while  the  fragrance  of  box,  roses  and  sweet- 


11 

peas  comes  u?  to  me.  The  sitting-room  overlooks  the  sweetest  English  garden 
you  can  imagine. 

I have  a wonderful  walk  half  way  round  the  garden.  I start  at  the  front 
door  and  find  a large  laburnum  tree  whose  branches  hang  over  the  lawn,  and 
which  must  be  a glory  in  the  spring.  Then  I go  along  touching  shrubs,  ivied 
walls,  arbor  vitae,  box  hedges  and  rose-bushes  to  the  giant  sycamore  tree 
(under  which  we  have  afternoon  tea)  and  back  again.  I have  never  had  such  a 
long  walk  all  to  myself.  I almost  forgot  to  say  a high  wall  encloses  the 
placed  so  we  are  quite  secluded.  In  the  middle  of  the  drive-way  is  a great 

walnut  tree  which  must  be  as  old  as  the  house,  if  not  much  older.  The  vegetable 
garden  is  separated  from  the  drive-way  by  a laurel  screen  and  from  the  la'wn 
and  flower  gardens  by  box  hedges.  The  main  paths  are  entered  through  rose 
bowers.  The  central  path  leads  dovm  throu^i  the  vegetable  garden  and  orchard 
to  a lovely  stream  with  a rustic  bridge  and  two  rows  of  noble  trees  which  droop 
over  the  water,  forming  a green  canopy. 

The  gardener  and  his  wife  live  in  the  gate-cottage,  and  look  after  the 

place  they  go  with  the  place.  I don't  Imow  what  you  would  say  to  our 

kitchens.  They  are  in  the  old  part  of  the  house,  and  oh,  Nella,  they  are 
immense.'  And  they  are  as  inconvenient  as  they  are  big.  All  the  arrangements 
for  preparing  and  cooking  food  are  primitive.  Fortunately,  we  have  two  native 
girls  who  work  under  Polly's  direction,  and  who  have  never  known  the  modern 
conveniences.  All  this  comfort  and  beauty  and  service  we  have  for  only  forty- 
five  dollars  a week.'  Don't  you  think  wo  should  all  come  over  hero  to  live 
the  remainder  of  our  lives?  Thin!-:  it  over. 

And,  after  all,  it  isn't  so  much  the  material  advantages  as  the  atmo- 
sphere we  care  about.  The  spirit  of  quiet  reigns  in  these  quaint  rural  villages 
of  England.  They  haven't  changed  in  centuries,  every  one  is  himself  or  her- 


J 


12 


self,  the  same  as  it  was  in  the  beginnine.  V.’e  dare  to  be  dull,  to  ignore  time,  to 
spend  evenings  that  seem  like  eternity  secure  from  visitors  in  a world  where  there 
are  no  uncertainties.  The  birds  sing  the  same  notes  people  have  heard  so  many  times 
before,  the  bees  drone  on  for  aeons,  the  flowers  bloom,  and  the  trees  grow  larger 
and  larger,  and  nobody  seems  to  care.  The  sun  shines  upon  pleasant  faces  and  natural 
hearts.  The  cottages  are  snug,  if  primitive.  Just  thirty-nine  miles  away  is  London 
with  its  worries  about  unemployment  and  decadence,  India,  Egypt  and  India,  a budget 
which  nobody  likes,  and  no  end  of  awkward  questions  that  keep  one  awake  and  start 
all  sorts  of  ideas  howling  about  one's  ears.'  Here  we  sit  cosy,  untroubled,  lazy, 

sipping well,  you  may  imagine  what  you  like and  eating  buttered  scones, 

gooseberries  and  pink  salmon  from  Scotland  and  roast  lamb  from  the  farm  across  the 
hedge. 

Isn't  the  name  of  this  village,  ’.Vendens  Ambo,  enough  to  lull  one  to  slumber? 
There  is  a string  of  hamlets  like  it  all  about  us,  reached  by  lonely  lanes  that 
branch  off  from  the  main  highway  and  lose  themselves  in  sheep  pastures  and  fields 
which  are  oceans  of  golden  grain, 

Sonetirae  I will  tell  you  about  Essex,  It  is  perhaps  the  moat  historic  county 
in  Ehgland.  Six  races  have  left  on  its  soil  successive  deposits  of  their  works  and 
mortal  dust.  One  can  scarcely  v/alk  a hundred  feet  without  coming  upon  something 

interesting a Roman  wall  or  gate,  a line  of  Saxon  battle  ditches,  the  ruins  of 

a Norman  castle,  an  Elizabethan  manor  house,  and  abbeys  and  churches  without  number. 

We  are  only  fifteen  miles  from  Cambridge.  What  a mine  of  history  and  asso- 
ciations it  holds'  One  wonders  how  it  is  possible  for  so  many  people  to  leave  such 
splendid  halls  empty-headed.  They  show  the  visitor  Milton's  mulberry  tree, 

Erasmus's  tower,  Byron's  pool,  Wordsworth's,  Newton's  and  Tennyson's  rooms;  but 
of  the  multitude  who  have  studied  there  no  trace  is  left,  unless  it  be  the  worn 
door-steps  and  pavements.  But  the  twenty  colleges  which  compose  the  University 
abide,  and  steadfast  guard  all  things  venerable  and  vanished. 


I dare  send  this  long  letter,  knowing  you  are  on  a holiday,  and  will  have 


time  to  read  it  and  forget  about  it  before  you  return  to  Garden  City.  I knov;  you 
don't  like  long  letters,  but  it  is  seldom  that  I offend  in  this  respect,  and  I hope 
it  may  give  you  some  idea  of  the  good  time  we  are  having  here. 

Teacher  is  glad  now  that  we  carried  her  off  to  Britain.  There  axe  still  times 
when  she  worries  about  her  eye,  but  on  the  whole  she  is  improving  in  health  and 
spirits.  3ie  and  Polly  send  their  love  to  you  and  Keith,  and  you  know  you  always 
have  ray  warm  affection. 


Faithfully  your  friend. 


The  President  Roosevelt,  May  4,  19J2 


Dearest  Nella, 

We  got  off  famously  this  time.  I guess  we  are  becoming  disciplined  travellere; 
for  wo  didn't  forgot  our  coats  or  pack  the  shoes  we  intended  wearing  or  keep  our 
friends  on  tenter-hooks  for  hours.  We  left  the  house  in  good  time  and  arrived  at 
the  dock  in  oiu*  right  minds . 

A lot  of  people  came  to  see  us  off.  One  of  our  state-rooms  was  a veritable 
conservatory.  Max  Schling  sent  me  American  'beauty  roses  four  feet  high!  There  was 
nothing  on  the  ship  large  enough  to  hold  them.  There  were  also  lilies  of  the  valley, 
pansies,  gardenias,  sweetpeas,  hyacinths,  narcissi  and  purple  and  white  stock  enough 
to  strew  across  the  A tlantic.  We  shared  them  with  Captain  Fried  and  the  passengers, 
which  doubled  and  trebled  our  joy  in  them. 

Your  soft,  cloud-like  handkerchiefs  will  often  bring  you  vividly  beside  us.  We 
have  resolved  to  keep  them  fresh  for  the  Great  Occasion  in  Glasgow.  Teacher's  black 
and  white  will  go  beautifully  with  her  now  ensemble.  Polly  loves  her  jade,  it  gives 
just  the  right  touch  to  her  green  outfit.  And  my  white  web  of  gossamer  will  be  ado- 
rable with  my  black  velvet  dress. 

Wo  have  had  a wonderful  voyage,  sunshine  every  day  and  stars  every  night.  It  is 
noon,  and  Polly  has  just  come  in  to  say  we  are  passing  the  first  lighthouse  off  the 
coast  of  Ireland.  Thousands  uron  thousands  of  gulls  are  circling,  dipping  and  fluting 
aroimd  the  ship  - - a beautiful  picture  with  the  EMiorald  Isle  in  the  background. 
Teacher  says  the  hills  look  like  billows  of  chiffon  in  the  soft  haze  that  hangs  over 
Ireland,  and  away  in  the  distance  is  a little  boat  with  red  sails,  like  a rod  bird 
skimming  the  waters.  We  are  so  close  to  land,  we  can  see  the  waves  dashing  against 
the  shore. 

We  shall  call  at  Queenstown  about  four  this  afternoon  and  pay  our  respects  to  the 
Irish  Free  State.  The  vendors  of  Irish  souvenirs  will  come  aboard  and,  I suppose, 
wheedle  us  into  buying  something  we  don't  want. 

Our  friends  provided  us  with  a wealth  of  books  to  while  away  idle  hours.  Polly 


has  read  "Humpy,"  the  Russian  fairy-tale  there  has  been  so  much  talk  about.  Teacher 
declares  she  could  write  a bettor  one  herself.  They  found  Clare  Sheridan's  "Naked 
Truth"  entertaining,  but  it  didn't  make  them  admire  the  lady  overmuch.  Now  they  are 
reading  "Drawn  from  Life"  by  3 . J.  Woolf.  The  Sketch  of  Einstein"  is  delightful. 

I have  written  to  dear  Eff endi . The  thought  that  hia  illness  ia  getting  the 
better  of  him  makes  me  very  sad.  I wish  that  I might  have  seen  him  before  leaving 
New  York,  but  I hesitated  to  make  the  request,  lest  it  should  embarrass  him. 

I owe  Mr.  Russell  Doubleday  a letter  perhaps  two  or  three.  I will  write 

to  him  when  I find  a quiet  nook  in  the  British  Isles  if  our  one-time  cousins  leave 

me  a moment  to  myself.  Already  requests  are  coming  in  by  radio.  "The  London 
Daily  Express"  wants  an  article,  and  the  National  Institute  for  the  Blind  wants  me 
to  open  its  new  massage  school.  On  the  22nd  of  June  I am  to  speak  for  the  New  Church 
of  Scotland.  Oh  dear!  oh  dear!  How  I wish  I might  be  invisible  for  five  months! 

The  truth  is,  I find  that  I'm  beginning  to  hate  compliments,  messages,  tributes  and 
photographs.  The  effort  to  take  them  graciously  strains  my  "love  ye  one  another" 
principle  to  the  breaking-point.  The  grateful  smile  I wear  on  all  occasions  is  be- 
coming "fixed"  on  my  face,  and  won't  come  off  when  I go  to  bod. 

We  should  love  to  have  you  with  us  in  Cornwall  I know  you'd  lose  your  heart 

to  the  flower-bedecked  lanej  the  cuckoos  in  the  hawthorns,  the  larks  in  the  sky  and 
the  sheep  in  the  hill-pastures.  Oh,  Nella,  shall  we  never  go  adventuring  together 
just  for  the  fun  of  it? 

We  know  you  and  Keith  will  enjoy  your  holiday  in  the  woods  with  Eugene.  A 
child's  joy  in  nature  is  such  a lovely  thing  to  see  and  share! 

Teacher  and  Polly  send  heaps  of  love  to  you  both,  and  so  does 


Yours  +.rtilv  V* 


South  Arcan,  September  24,  1955 

Dear  Nella, 

I salute  the  book!  "Anne  Sullivan  Kacy,  the  Story  Behind  Helen  Keller"  arrived 
a week  ago.  I was  speechless  when  Polly  put  the  book  into  my  hand,  such  was  the 

rush  of  memories  that  swept  over  me  like  a torrent  the  years  during  which  you 

had  meditated  upon  the  biography,  the  seas  of  documents  you  had  waded  through,  your 
tireless  investigations,  your  journey  with  Teacher  and  me  to  Feeding  Hills,  Boston 
and  Tewksbury,  our  long  vigils  together.  1 kept  touching  the  handsome,  symbolic 
black  and  gold  book  covers  with  fingers  that  longed  to  read  it  in  Braille. 

Picture  us,  Nella  Teacher,  Polly,  her  friend  Kiss  Bess  Hay  and  myself  

sitting  with  the  book  all  the  evening  round  a bright  fire  in  this  quaint  old  farm- 
house, while  outside  the  darkness  gathered,  fragrant  with  fallen  leaves,  vibrant 
with  the  mournful  cry  of  curlews.  With  excited  interest  we  looked  at  the  illustra- 
tions, we  turned  page  after  page,  feeling  that  you  had  brought  into  being  a story 
which  would  long  make  human  souls  vibrate  with  the  drama  it  unfolded.  Although  I 
had  heard  it  so  often,  yet  I had  not  until  then  fully  realized  its  power  or  its 
fate-woven  quality.  You  can  imagine  how  the  fire  burned  out  as  we  talked  far  into 
the  night. 

\ 

Heading  the  biography,  I marvel  at  your  grasp  of  happenings  both  in  the  Old 
World  and  the  New,  that  shaped  the  character  and  the  destiny  of  Anne  Sullivan.  I 
tremble  anew  as  I live  through  the  tragedy  of  her  family  and  her  early  years,  and 
behold  in  it  "the  frightful,  back-coming,  housekeeping,  crafty,  remembering,  child- 
avenging  Wrath"  — - Fate  piling  event  upon  event  as  in  retribution.  But  I also  per- 
ceive through  the  pages  an  inflowing  of  light  from  Anne's  indomitable  soul  her 

great  love  for  her  little  brother  sweetening  her  life,  as  the  heather  of  the  lonely 
moors  saturates  honey. 

"Tiat  is  as  neer  os  T can  BC.y  to  you  hew  the  story  affects  :.ie.  You  know  how 
dl'^'^leult  it  is  to  write  about  things  that,  are  clooo  to  the  ’neart. 


2 


In  the  words  of  Chaucer,  your  book  is  "ful  royally  maked."  It  lacketh  nought  that 
belongeth  to  a noble  book.  It  hath  vigor,  depth,  a wide  circle  of  interest  for  read- 
ers of  different  professions  and  temperaments  and  a dispassionate  regard  for  all 
points  of  view.  It  is  just,  virile  and  at  the  same  time  brimful  of  pity.  Above  all, 
it  has  the  proud  beauty  of  a heroine  strong  and  rare  in  mind  while  young,  courageous 
always  in  fight  against  cruel  circumstances,  keeping  to  the  last  a superb,  modest,  in- 
spiring personality. 

But  oh  the  inadequacy  of  portraits  in  words  or  on  the  canvssJ  To  tell  all  the 
queenliness  of  the  heroine,  her  love  of  beauty,  her  tenderness  to  animals,  her  exqui- 
site sense  of  humor  lighting  up  the  most  serious  talk,  her  inclusive  compassion  for 
the  underdog  of  humanity,  lieth  not  in  the  cunning  of  your  pen  or  my  tongue.  You  were 
very  courageous  to  undertake  such  a high  task,  and  you  have  succeeded  as  far  as  the 
brave  can. 

There  will  be  as  many  judgments  of  the  book  as  there  are  heads  and  tongues  that 
jangle,  gossip  and  criticise.  It  will  be  as  it  was  with  the  horse  of  brass  in  Tartary 
when  diverse  people  diversely  conjectured  about  its  nature,  some  saying  it  was  the 
winged  Pegasus,  others  deeming  that  it  was  a work  of  magic,  and  yet  others  asserting 
that  it  was  the  horse  of  Troy  which  had  brought  a great  city  to  destruction.  (You 
know.  Dr.  Cutsforth  declares  that  Teacher's  method  destroyed  the  real  Helen  and  sub- 
stituted one  of  her  own  design.)  Likewise  methinks  I hear  a buzz  of  questions  round 

the  biography:  "Is  Helen  Keller  a genuine  person?"  "Did  she  write  her  books,  or 

did  her  teacher?"  "Is  A.nne  Sullivan  a genius  or  a fakir?"  "Did  she  have  any  special 
method?"  "Is  her  pupil  a miracle,  or  a product  of  normal  educational  methods?"  May 
you  have  the  good  fortune  to  make  cease  this  jangling  and  wonderment,  which  began 
with  Mr.  Anagnos's  first  report  and  has  continued  ever  since.  May  the  truth  be  heard, 
and  the  labors  of  a true  teacher  bear  richer  harvests  of  good  unto  the  children  of 
generations  unborn. 

But,  Nolle,  if  I should  assay  to  toll  you  all  the  thoughts  that  roll  up  and  down 


5 


my  mind,  it  would  occupy  all  this  lovely  autumn  day.  It  is  one  of  the  days  when  it 
is  hardest  to  sit  at  my  desk,  so  great  is  the  lure  to  explore  new  beauties  of  the 
Highlands.  I have  a walk  half  a mile  long  that  is  "a  merveille  for  to  beholde,"  be- 
ginning at  the  farm-house  and  going  far  west  through  the  fields.  I walk  two  or  three 
hours  every  day,  so  as  not  to  be  "yfatted  on  the  deyntee  mete  and  foules  of  the 
lond.”  Just  now  my  walk  is  literally  a footpath  traced  by  falling  leaves.  The  har- 
vest was  garnered  the  first  two  weeks  of  August,  the  earliest  within  the  remembrance 
of  the  farmers  hereabouts,  and  there  is  not  a stock  left  for  the  fox  or  the  hare. 

The  birds  are  fleeing  in  large  flocks  from  the  woods  wbiere  late  they  so  merrily  sang. 
Here  is  stillness  enough  for  me  to  harken  to  the  truth  that  is  hidden  in  dreams. 

There  is  a wistfulness  in  all  things.  I find  myself  looking  back  to  days  past  and 
forward  with  mingled  emotions. 

Often,  however,  my  dreams  are  interrupted  by  three  darling  puppies.  Maida,  the 
smallest,  a black  terror,  was  given  me  by  Mrs.  Eagar,  the  wife  of  the  Director  of  the 

National  Institute  for  the  Blind  in  London.  Maida  is  a Lakeland  Terrier  a 

special  breed  for  fox-hunting  that  is  coming  into  vogue.  She  has  very  long  Aaes,  and 
is  rather  uncouth,  but  most  lovable  and  intuitive.  Dileas  (pronounced  "Gielis," 
and  meaning  in  Gaelic  ”my  Faithful  One")  wee  sent  to  me  by  Lord  Aberdeen.  He  is  a 
Shetland  Collie,  a princeling  of  an  illustrious  race,  gorgeous  in  s coat  of  golden 
brown,  with  snow-white  breast  and  feet.  He  looks  like  a Dresden  China  dog  flying 
in  and  out  of  the  house.  The  youngest  pup  is  Broom,  named  after  Loch  Broom,  which 
is  golden  from  the  reflection  of  masses  of  Scottish  broom  that  grow  along  its  banks. 
He  is  very  like  Sieglinde  with  large  flapping  ears  and  intriguing  ways. 

All  of  them  have  a passion  for  walking  that  is  insatiable,  and  expresses  itself 
in  small  leaps,  eager  barks,  much  running  on  and  running  back  to  make  sure  that  I 'm 
doing  the  right  thing.  Their  movements  are  very  diverting  at  first,  but  when  I am 
once  out  in  the  long  lane  with  a staff,  between  rows  of  ferns  and  birches,  broom  and 
rowan-trees,  they  amuse  themselves,  only  returning  now  and  then  to  see  if  all  is 


4 


well  with  me.  When  they  tumble  over  each  other  greeting  me,  they  must  be  a study 
in  red  gold,  brown  and  black.  If  any  small  creature  is  sighted,  the  trio  rushes  for- 
ward, Broom's  ears  waving,  and  utters  muffled  warning  feaowls,  assximing  the  police- 
man's role,  wary  and  suspicious.  I bless  them  for  the  amusement  and  comfort  Teacher 
gets  out  of  their  antics  and  their  affection.  I had  almost  forgotten  to  say  that 
the  dog  so  like  Sieglinde  is  of  the  breed  known  in  Scotland  as  the  Golden  Retriever. 

We  were  grieved  to  hear  that  you  and  Keith  have  had  such  a horrid  summer.  I hope 
Keith's  father  is  improving  by  now.  I am  glad  you  both  dropped  everything  and  hied 
to  your  holiday  home  on  Lake  Winnepausaukee.  May  it  a faire  hous  of  blisse  prove 
wherein  ye  shal  pass  longer  and  mi  pleasaimt  vacacioune  ! 

Poor  Gussie,  what  a tragic  fate!  It  is  sad  to  think  he  will  no  more  play  about 
your  home,  delighting  you  with  his  silken  loveliness  and  his  swift,  graceful  motions, 
ind  poorer  Hannibal,  who  remains  to  mourn.  But  I hope  the  new  kitten  will  bring  him 
consolation. 

We  have  had  glorious  summer  with  just  enough  rain  to  keep  the  countryside  green 
and  sweet.  We  have  had  sun-drenched  picnics  in  the  heather  or  beside  a rushing 
mountain  stream,  we  have  taken  some  memorable  tripe  up  through  Suhherlandshire  and 
to  Orkney  and  Shetland,  a five  days'  journey  with  Andrea  Berens  through  Aberdeer^ 
shire,  with  a call  at  Lord  Aberdeen's,  then  down  to  Birnum  Woods  and  up  through  the 
Pass  of  Glencoe,  made  terrible  by  the  tragedy  in  which  the  Campbells  massacred  the 
MacDonalds,  to  Inverness,  following  the  Caledonian  Canal  part  of  the  way. 

Not  long  ago  we  visited  Brahan  Castle,  the  stronghold  of  the  Seaforth  Clan,  and 
had  tea  with  Lady  Tweeddale.  We  were  fed  up  on  tales  of  the  hapless  Seer  who  pro- 
phesied many  dreadful  things,  most  of  which  are  said  to  h^ve  come  to  pass.  He  was 
burned  at  the  stake  for  telling  his  mistress  that  her  husband  was  having  a merry 
time  with  a pretty  coquette  in  Paris.  We  were  taken  up  to  the  ghost-room.  The 
ghost  has  been  exorcised,  but  it  is  solemnly  affirmed  that  fourteen  people  went  mad 
in  that  selfsame  chamber.  Afterwards  we  walked  through  Oak  Dell,  the  magnificent 
bower  of  oaks  and  beeches  where  Her  Ladyship  sits  and  dreams  to  the  murmur  of  the 


gentle  River  Conon.  In  the  very  heart  of  the  wood  we  found  a pet  cemetery  where 
favorite  doge,  oats  and  birds  lie  buried  under  pretty  grave-stones  with  touching  in- 
scriptions. That  reads  like  a poem,  doesn't  it? 

Now  we  are  staying  at  home,  as  beseemeth  those  who  would  let  the  jocund  season 
bathe  them  in  hele  and  delyte.  We  should  like  to  remain  longer  and  weave  more 
thoughts  out  of  old  musings,  but  I fear  me,  the  Foundation  will  blow  its  dooinful  horn 
for  our  return  to  the  lists  of  those  who  battle  for  the  magic  purse.  Oh  Nella,  I 
can't  get  away  from  the  delightful,  spicy,  songful  old  English  of  "The  Canterbury 
Talesi"  I'm  soaked  in  Chaucer,  as  you  will  have  seen  in  the  foregoing  pages. 

I do  not  think  you  are  likely  to  hear  from  Teacher.  She  is  far  from  being  in  a 
writing  mood.  She  is  almost  totally  blind  now,  and  it  exasperates  her  that  she 
cannot  see  a word.  I have  never  known  her  to  be  so  impatient  and  rebellious  before. 

But  I shall  not  give  up  hope  until  the  guardian  of  the  light  in  her  eye  says  the 
word  that  is  final.  Re  was  here  this  summer.  He  came  all  the  way  from  London  to 
see  Teacher's  eye.  He  found  it  somewhat  inflamed,  and  he  wanted  her  to  stay  here 
for  some  time . 

We  read  Ann  Braddy ' s letter  about  the  book  with  pleasure.  Teacher  asks  you 
please  to  thank  her  for  it.  Mr.  Miigel  thoughtfully  sent  us  Harry  Hansen's  review. 

We  also  received  a most  kind  letter  from  Marian  Morgan. 

We  three  send  you  our  love  and  congratulations  and  every  wish  for  the  success 
of  the  biography.  May  it  live  as  long  as  Methuselah,  and  bring  you  a shower  of 
blessings  richer  than  the  dark  threads  which  are  the  warp  and  woof  of  Teacher's  life. 
Only  when  we  meet  can  I say  in  your  ear  the  private,  sad,  smouldering  thoughts  fed 
by  family  misunderstandings  and  estrangements. 

How  are  the  "Slaves  of  the  Sun"  progressing? 

I must  stop  now  if  this  letter  is  to  reach  you  before  the  spring  freshets.  Thank- 
ing you  for  your  dear  thought  of  me  following  trails  up  at  your  house  of  rest,  I am. 

Always  affectionately  your  friend. 


South  Arcen,  January  \1 , 195^ 

D*ar  Nella, 

I hava  not  fait  much  like  chirping  to  my  frienda  ovareeae  ainca  wa  want  to 
Glaagow  and  ware  clappad  into  a nurslng-homa  for  two  weeks.  Wa  went  down  to 
hava  my  teath  axamlnod  and  do  a little  shopping  for  Christmas,  but  Dame  Luck 
shook  out  a different  programme  for  us  from  her  urn.  We  were  held  up  so  long  by 
the  beneficent  tyranny  of  six  medical  man  tha,t  our  plan  of  spending  Christmas  in 

the  old-fashioned,  homelike  way  we  wished  by  a bright  fire  lip  here  with  the 

sheep  near,  the  white  hoar-frost  upon  the  fields  and  the  Northern  Lights  playing 
in  the  sky  at  night  was  knocked  galley  west. 

It  was  a weary  time  for  us,  I tall  you,  but  I was  glad  that  Teacher  and 
Polly  got  the  proper  care  they  so  badly  needed.  I have  written  the  details  to 
Amelia,  and  no  doubt  she  will  communicate  them  to  you  and  save  me  the  dis- 
agreeable task  of  conning  over  and  over  our  various  afflictions.  If  Amelia  is 
secretive,  just  read  the  Book  of  Job,  and  you  will  have  a fair  idea  of  what  has 
befallen  us. 

Now,  however,  my  teeth  have  come  out  of  the  fray  In  ny  mouth  instead  of 
into  whatever  mortuary  teeth  are  consigned  to.  Things  cannot  be  much  worse  or 
much  batter  for  Teacher  for  a long  time  yet,  but  Polly  is  in  the  saddle  again, 
galloping  off  in  the  old  Highland  dare-devil  spirit.  All  the  dogs  have  re- 
covered from  bites,  influenza.  Infectious  catarrh,  overfeeding  on  haarth-brushas 
and  stove  polish.  At  this  moment  they  era  all  spread  out  round  the  fire-place. 

To  go  back  to  the  beginning,  the  cable  of  good  wishes  from  you  and  Keith 
cheered  us  up . (By  the  way,  wo  don't  hear  much  of  Keith  these  days.)  The  re- 
views you  sent  were  very  interesting.  I know  they  make  you  proud.  Your  long 
latter  about  reporters  greeted  us  in  the  wee  farm-house  on  our  return.  Wa  read 
it  with  chuckles  of  amusement.  What  an  exciting  time  you  must  hava  had  with  them! 


We  are,  as  you  say,  veterans,  and  yet  we  are  greyer  after  each  encounter  with  the 
Illuminati  of  the  press.  It's  staggering  how  they  can  turn  your  most  conscientious 
statements  topsy-turvy  and  make  nonsense  out  of  your  wise  cracks,  but  the  penalty 
of  being  the  author  of  a well  written  and  well  received  book  must  be  exacted  to 
the  last  drop  of  blood  by  the  hundred-eyed  Argus  of  publicity. 

'/•:«  note  with  surprise  that  Teacher  has  become  ny  nurse,  and  I have  become 
her  teacher,  and  that  we  have  given  away  all  our  money,  and  are  staying  in  Scot- 
land to  hide  our  destitution  from  an  inquisitive  world.  You  know  the  truth  

that  the  trustees  of  the  American  Foundation  kindly  granted  us  a year's  leave 
with  salary,  and  Mr.  Migol  has  been  most  solicitous  in  every  letter  that  we 
should  have  every  comfort  and  no  worries  about  finances.  But  the  newspapers 
must  have  their  " seneation." 

Teacher  listens  to  the  reviews  with  the  smile  of  the  Sphinx.  At  present  she 
is  in  a mood  like  the  quiescent  earth  in  winter,  she  does  not  show  much  interest 
in  anything,  and  will  not  discuss  matters  connected  with  her  biography  or  reply 
to  letters.  I like  to  think  she  has  withdrawn  into  by-ways  of  readjustment  from 
the  highway  where  for  years  she  has  endured  the  jostling  crowd,  broken  plans, 
disappointed  hopes  and  the  hounding  of  the  dark.  On  the  whole,  I believe  she  is 
better  off  in  this  environment  of  wild  nature  than  she  would  be  at  home.  Cer- 
tainly Dr.  Berens,  who  was  here  lest  August,  urged  her  to  keep  very  quiet  and 
strengthen  her  health  for  the  ordeal  that  must  come  sooner  or  later  if  she  is 
ever  to  see  again.  All  my  purpose  and  interest  are  centred  in  the  effort  to  have 
her  as  well  as  may  be  before  we  return  to  America. 

It  doesn't  seem  as  if  we  had  had  any  winter  here.  No  snow  so  far,  except 
high  UP  on  the  mountains,  many  warm  days  with  doors  and  windows  wide  open.  Spring 
is  8 sleep  on  the  wings  of  the  winds  that  come  booming  down  from  the  North.  There 
are  shoots  two  inches  high  on  the  bulbs  near  our  door-step,  and  Polly  picked  a 


daisy  out  in  the  fields  Monday  the  15th  I There  are  green  leaves  on  the  rose-bushes 


against  the  wall,  and  already  I smell  new  life  in  the  grass.  I have  been  looking 
in  vain  for  the  bleakness  that  the  reporters  talk  about.  We  shall  soon  be  wading 
through  a see  of  wild-flowers,  while 


The  specially  bound  copy  of  your  book  is  beautiful.  I'll  write  to 
Mr.  Russell  Doubleday  and  thank  him  for  it  for  Teacher  soon. 

Polly  is  reading  me  dear  Effendi's  "Recollections,"  some  of  which  are  very 
interesting,  and  I shall  write  to  him  also. 

Teacher  and  Folly  join  me  in  every  wish  to  you  and  Keith  for  the  kind  of 
New  Year  you  would  like. 

Again  congratulating  you  on  the  splendid  reception  of  your  book,  I am. 


" Smale  fowlee  maken  melodye 


That  slepen  al  the  night  with  open  ye'." 


Affectionately  yours. 


The  Manse 


Bothwell,  Scotland,  November  19,  1956, 

Dear  Nella, 

’(Ye  came  here  last  night  after  a crowded  week  in  London  seeing  friends  and 
trying  to  clarify  our  minds  for  the  reconstruction  of  our  so  tragically  dislo- 
cated lives. 

Considering  the  hard  work  ahead,  at  first  Folly  and  I thought  we  would  spend 
several  days  with  her  brother  Bert  and  Isabel,  then  take  rooms  at  some  quiet 
Scottish  inn  like  Dunkeld,  a picturesque  old  place  with  immense,  ancient  beeches 
and  oaks  in  Perthshire,  and  thus  escape  interruptions.  But  now  everything  has 
been  arranged  for  us  so  wonderfully,  it  seems  like  a dream.  As  you  know,  there 
is  always  an  element  of  the  unexpected  about  "The  Three  Musketeers.”  (Never  for 
a moment  can  I realize,  Nella,  that  "the  trio”  is  no  more.) 

Bert  and  Isabel  have  persuaded  us  with  their  irresistible  dearness  to  make 
our  home  at  The  Manse  while  we  are  in  Scotland.  They  have  given  us  their  drawing- 
room for  privacy  where  we  can  keep  our  books,  papers  — three  huge  cases  full!  — 
and  letters.  The  sweet  understanding  shown  by  every  one  here,  a cosy  fire  and 
warm  clothes  will  make  us  very  comfortable.  Beside  David,  who  is  taking  a 
theoretical  course  of  electrical  engineering  at  the  University  of  Glasgow,  working 
for  his  "B.  S.  C.”  degree,  there  are  three  delightful  children  in  the  family. 

They  will  bri^ten  me  up  — and  certainly  I need  soul-sunshine  for  downcast 
moods  and  a correspondence  that  seems  interminable.  We  were  fortunate  to  leave 
our  sorrow-wei^ted  home  when  we  did,  otherwise  we  should  surely  have  been 
nervous  wrecks  by  this  time. 

It  was  good  to  find  your  letter  here  to  welcome  us  and  to  hear  that  you  saw 
things  going  smoothly  in  7111  Seminole  Avenue.  Polly  will  answer  herself,  but 


I want  to  write  you  about  a matter  which  occupies  my  thoughts  a great  deal. 

During  our  visit  to  London  Mr.  Augustus  Muir,  himself  a writer  for  whose 
judgment  Teacher  had  a high  regard,  lunched  with  us.  We  were  much  comforted 
by  his  beautiful  words  about  Teacher  and  his  warm  affection  for  her.  In  the 
course  of  conversation  he  broached  a subject  he  had  discussed  with  Teacher  each 
time  we  had  come  to  England.  He  suggested  that  I keep  a journal  telling  briefly 
of  my  experiences  in  the  silent  dark,  passing  thoughts,  reactions  to  distinguished 
people  and  books  I read.  He  thought  such  a diary  would  interest  readers  every- 
where, and  might  perhaps  bring  me  considerable  financial  returns.  His  en- 
thusiasm swept  aside  objections  natural  to  one  who  has  already  written  two 
autobiographies  and  recorded  herself  in  a multitude  of  letters,  and  I started 
the  diary  at  once. 

Mr.  Muir  recommended  as  a publisher  Mr.  Michael  Joseph  whom  he  considers 
very  progressive  and  an  excellent  judge  of  books  produced.  Mr.  Joseph  was 
formerly  connected  with  the  Firm  of  Gollancz,  but  now  he  is  in  business  for  him- 
self at  14  Henrietta  Street,  London.  I believe  he  is  publishing  Ponsonby's 
works  and  Bertrand  Russell's  last  book.  I can  assure  you  of  Mr.  Muir's  disin- 
terested attitude  towards  me  when  speaking  of  Mr.  Joseph;  for  hie  own  publishers 
are  Methuen  and  Company. 

I met  Mr.  Joseph,  and  we  had  a long  interview.  He  is  quite  as  keen  as 

Mr.  Muir  is  to  have  me  write  the  diary.  He  wants  a book  of  between  eighty  and 

ninety  or  a hundred  thousand  words,  appearing  in  four  small  volumes.  On  hearing 

that  Polly  and  I expected  to  be  in  Paris  January  29th  for  the  unveiling  of  the 

Borglum  statue  of  Thomas  Paine,  Mr.  Joseph  made  a suggestion  that  it  would  round 

'’/kJV  S' 

off  neatly  the  first  voliane,  begun  aboard  the  S.  3.  Deutschland, ^^to  finish  it 
after  leaving  France,  February  4th.  I shall  mail  it  immediately  from  New  York. 


We  shall  be  in  London  again  a few  days  before  going  to  Paris,  and  I shall 
discuss  plans  with  Mr.  Joseph  more  fully.  If  you  have  any  comments  to  make,  Nella, 
I shall  be  glad  to  have  them  at  your  earliest  convenience.  Really  I am  interested 
in  this  new  adventure,  it  will  help  divert  my  thoughts  from  a grief  that  will  be 
long  in  healing. 

The  diary  will  not  interfere  with  the  article  on  loacher,  I shall  write  it 
just  the  same  as  I promised  you  I would. 

Of  course  you  know,  Nella,  I am  not  forgetting  all  the  years  during  which 
the  House  of  Doubleday  has  been  my  ally  and  encourager,  or  the  faithfulness  with 
which  you  have  steered  Teacher  and  me  through  a multiplicity  of  bewildering  tasks. 
Not  a day  passes  without  my  silent  thanlcs  to  you  all  for  one  of  the  richest,  most 
significant  contributions  to  our  work. 

But  I feel  with  you  the  changes  that  are  taking  place  about  us.  Dear 
"Effendi”  is  gone,  Mr.  Russell  Doubleday  is  retired  from  active  management  of 
the  Firm,  and  younger  men  with  different  ideas  are  replacing  those  whom  we  used 
to  know.  Besides,  the  work  you  and  Keith  are  doing  is  too  important  for  other 
demands  to  absorb  your  time  and  energies. 

Teacher  often  expressed  a regret  that  she  did  not  employ  a literary  agent 
who  could  push  our  fortunes  untrammelled  by  other  duties.  Now  I have  made  up 
my  mind  to  find  a reliable  agent  and  try  out  alone  whatever  powers  I possess. 

If  I succeed,  it  will  be  another  tribute  to  her  who  most  believed  in  me.  People 
will  see  that  I have  a personality,  not  gifted  but  mine  own,  and  that  I can  stand 
on  my  feet  socially  and  economically. 

Before  her  death  Teacher  said,  "Wait!  I see  a hand.  It  is  giving  a message 
in  the  sign  language.  "Liberator."  Y/ho  knows?  — the  time  may  be  ripe  for  me  to 
shape  my  life  anew  and  confirm  further  my  message  to  the  handicapped. 


This  is  not  half  of  what  I wished  to  say  to  you,  but  I must  stop  if  my  letter 
is  to  reach  you  weathering  those  gales  that  are  upturning  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

With  affectionate  greetings  to  Keith  and  yourself  in  which  Polly  joins  as 
always,  I am. 

Lovingly  your  friend, 

n r . - 


The  Vi'hins,  Stirling,  Scotland, 

January  5,  1957. 

Dear  I’ella, 

There  is  much  dear  kindneee  to  thank  you  for  and  no  nev;  words  for  ray 
appreciation,  but  I must  tell  you  somehow  that  it  has  been  good  to  receive  the 
signals  of  your  constant  friendship  on  a new,  lonely  life-trail.  Your  helpful- 
ness to  Folly  and  me  in  correspondence,  the  article  for  the  "Outlook  for  the 
Blind"  and  suggestions  with  regard  to  future  work  means  more  than  I csn  express. 

Your  letter  wishing  me  well  in  my  venture  with  the  diary  has  put  new  zest 
into  it.  If  you  approve  the  diary  when  you  do  read  it,  my  cup  of  satisfaction 
will  be  full. 

Between  tasks  Polly  has  read  me  passages  from  Dr.  Grayson's  journal.  Cer- 
tainly they  interest  me  more  than  the  extracts  John  Morley  quotes  in  his  biography 
from  Gladstone's  diaries,  which  are  calendars  punctuated  with  brealcfast,  horseback 
riding,  lunch,  tea,  "House"  (meaning  Parliament)  and  catalogues  of  books  read. 

I am  afraid,  though.  Dr.  Grayson's  method  would  not  get  me  anjnwhere.  Hr.  Kuir's 
idea  is  not  for  me  to  write  a "literary"  journal,  but  just  to  comment  briefly  on 
passing  events,  the  distinguished  people  I have  met  and  places  I love  with  an 
occasional  page  about  Teacher  or  Swedenborg  or  the  thoughts  passing  through 
ray  mind. 

Our  first  Christmas  and  New  Year  without  Teacher  might  as  well  be  passed 
over  in  silence,  except  for  the  beautiful  tenderness  in  the  many  messages  sent  us 
by  friends  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Other  anniversaries  will  come  on  which 
my  heart  will  cry  out  for  the  touch  of  her  hand,  and  I must  not  think  of  them,  or 
I cannot  carry  on. 

Yi'e  are  spending  part  of  the  holidays  with  the  Bains.  The  Spirit  of  ’.Velcome 


broods  over  this  house  of  big-hearted  hospitality. 


Stirling,  the  ancient  capital  of  Scotland,  is  very  interesting.  Last 
Sunday  we  went  to  the  New  Year  service  at  the  beautiful  old  Church  of  the  Holy 
Rude.  I touched  the  font  where  Nary  Queen  of  Scots  was  ^baptized.  Y/e  went 
into  the  older  part  where  James  VI  of  Scotland  was  crowned,  and  where  John 
Knox  smashed  all  the  precious  windows,  except  a lovely  jevjel  of  glass  which, 
lucidly,  was  too  high  for  his  irate  zeal  to  reach. 

I wish  you  could  see  the  handsome  dogs  here  — three  Labradors  and  a 
Cairn  — all  golden.  Lying  on  top  of  each  other  they  really  look  like  a pile 
of  gold  in  the  firelight. 

I am  glad  you  are  so  well  pleased  with  Remus.  Nay  he  bring  you  joy  equal 
to  the  cere  and  affection  you  are  lavishing  upon  hie  puppyhood. 

Yie  shall  be  back  at  The  Manse  Thursday.  I dread  leaving  Scotland  after 
the  healing  peace  we  have  had,  but  we  must  follow  our  work  wherever  it  calls 
us.  I will  keep  the  rest  of  the  news  until  we  see  you  in  New  York. 

With  Polly's  love  to  you  both  and  with  a pat  for  Remus,  I am. 


Affectionately  your  friend. 


UNZEN  HOTEL 


Cable  Address,  “UNZEN  ” 


Unzen  ParK 
y.  ITOW,  Proprietor 


Telephone  Noe,  21t  25. 
P.  0.  Box.  No,  1 


May  27,  1957 • 


Dear  Nella, 

Your  last  letter  has  found  us  here  at  ?\ikuoka,  the  seat 
of  learning  on  Kyushu  Island.  Vte  received  the  first  one  in 
Kobe  a week  ago,  and  before  we  are  swept  away  on  another  dash 
from  city  to  city  and  one  scenic  grandeur  to  another,  I must 
thank  you  for  sending  us  news  of  yourself  it  is  good  to  hear, 
and  for  your  encouraging  comments  on  the  diary.  It  relieves 
me  immensely  to  know  that  you  think  it  is  worth  while. 

At  the  same  time  I feel  with  you  that  it  needs  careful 
revision,  and  that  there  are  gaps  which  ought  to  be  filled. 

Of  course  when  I began  the  journal,  I did  not  think  of 
possible  readers.  I took  it  up  as  a weapon  against  a grief 
which  was  squeezing  my  heart  intolerably.  'A’hat  you  have  read 
so  far  was  a struggle  to  dispel  a fog  of  anguish  which 
blurred  everything  more  or  less.  As  the  diary  progressed, 
and  experiences  which  seemed  interesting  multiplied,  a little 
of  the  old  pleasure  in  self-expression  returned. 

It  was  all  I could  do  not  to  neglect  it,  what  with  three 
months'  siege  of  correspondence,  the  dazzling  rush  in  Paris, 
the  heartbreaking  homecoming  and  the  flying  preparations  for 
Japan.  As  soon  as  I got  home,  I stole  many  hours  from  sleep 
consulting  my  Braille  periodicals.  So  I hope  when  you  read 


UNZEN  HOTEL 


2 

Cable  Address,  "UNZEN  " 


Unzen  ParK 
y.  )T0W,  Proprietor 


T el  ephone  Nos.  21i  25. 
P.O.Box.  No,  1 


the  reet  of  the  journal,  you  will  find  my  remarks  on  happen- 
ings in  the  United  States  lees  naive  and  vague  during 
February  and  March. 

As  I cabled  you,  I had  written  nine-tenths  of  the  jour- 
nal. I finished  it  last  week  during  a few  days'  rest  in 
Hara,  but  the  revision  still  looms  on  the  horizon.  To  save 
my  hands  Polly  had  it  put  into  Braille  as  far  as  I had  gone. 

I have  the  first  part  from  November  4th  to  January  2Jrd. 

The  second  part  I was  supposed  to  receive  just  before  I left 
New  York,  but  it  did  not  come,  and  Herbert  cabled  that  it 
had  not  been  received. 

You  who  know  the  ways  and  the  obligations  of  the  pub- 
lishing world  can  imagine  how  chagrined  I am  at  having  held 
up  !/.r.  Joseph's  arrangements  as  I have.  The  thought  that 
I have  been  a slave  of  unbending  circumstances  does  not 
lessen  my  contrite  embarrassment. 

You  see,  liella,  how  matters  stand.  I have  no  idea  when 
the  diary  will  be  published  or  when  I shall  finish  revising 

it.  I find  it  impossible  to  work  on  it  while  travelling 
in  Japan.  Besides,  I am  to  start  next  October  on  a cam- 
paign to  finish  the  Endowment  Fund  for  the  American  Foundation. 

Your  c^ble  about  Mr.  Joseph  and  Mr.  Maule  waiting  more 


5 


UNZEN  HOTEL 


Cable  Address,  “UNZEN  " 


Unzen  ParK 
y.  !T0W,  Proprietor 


Tel ophone  Nos.  21i  25. 
P.  0.  Bok.  No,  1 


"personal"  details  puzzled  me  not  a little.  If  my  outpour- 
ings about  Teacher,  my  anxieties  and  difficulties,  work  left 
undone,  plays,  things  I eat,  annoyance  at  being  interrupted 
are  not  personal,  I do  not  know  what  is.  There  are  countless 
details  concerning  people  I know  which  I have  not  the  gift 
to  sketch  briefly  in  a diary  with  an  adequate  background  as 
I did  in  "Midstream."  You  will  no  doubt  remember  Steven- 
son's "Virginibus  Puerisque"  containing  the  beautiful  essay, 
"The  Truth  of  Discourse."  He  pointed  out  that  the  greatest 
falsehood  may  be  conveyed  by  a detached  remark  that  is  not 
interpreted  by  a look,  a tone  or  a laugh.  I shall  indeed 
be  glad  to  talk  the  whole  matter  over  with  you  in  the  privacy 


Most  of  all,  I am  impatient  to  give  you  an  account  of  the 
most  amazing,  gorgeous,  regal,  fatiguing  tour  Polly  and  I have 
ever  gasped  our  way  through.  Even  with  a woman's  tireless 
talk  I do  not  think  I can  begin  to  describe  it  in  all  its  rain- 
bow glory.  — The  embarrassing  honor  of  being  the  guest  of  a 
unique,  artistic  and  poetic  people  — meeting  Their  Imperial 
Majesties  at  the  garden  party  in  Tokyo  — calling  on  the  Prince 
and  Princess  Takamatsu,  and  Ambassador's  dismay  when,  en- 
couraged by  Her  Highness's  communicative  handclasp,-  I touched 


of  home 


UNZEN  HOTEL 

Unz6n  ParK 
V.  ITOW,  Proprietor 


Cable  Address,  “UNZEN  " 
T el ephone  Nos.  21<  25. 
P.O.Box.  No,  1 


her  lovely  face  and  costume.  — The  overpowering  loveliness 
of  the  cherry-bloesoms  wherever  we  went.  > Sixty  public 
appearances  in  four  weeks,  beautiful  welcome  speeches  and 
precious  gifts  of  all  kinds,  enough  to  fill  a museum*  Then 
there  were  heavenly  breathings spells  in  the  verdant  mountain 
peace  of  Hakone,  Lake  Biwa  and  Nara,  the  ancient  Capital  of 
Nippon  with  its  venerable  cryptomeria  trees  under  which 
Polly  and  I walked  mornings  from  6.  JO  until  nearly  eight 
o'clock,  the  hundreds  of  shrines  and  lanterns  and  the  sacred 
deer  roaming  all  over  the  city  unmolested.  Now  here  we  are 
barn-storming  along  the  Inland  Sea  with  its  jade  waters, 
majestic  mountains  and  distracting  activity  of  various  indu- 
stries. Our  next  stop  is  Nagasaki,  the  old  port  where  the 
Portuguese  and  the  Prench  once  traded.  Before  long  we  shall 
be  way  up  in  north-eastern  Nippon  where,  I believe,  nuch  of 
the  ancient  civilization  remains- 

Oh  dear  J they  have  come  to  take  us  to  the  school 

where  I am  to  say  a few  words  to  the  deaf  and  the  blind. 

It  would  make  you  weep,  Nella,  to  see  how  hard  these  handi- 
capped groups  are  trying  to  come  into  their  own,  and  how 
grateful  the  people  are  to  us  for  the  little  we  can  do  to 
help  them  further.  It  will  not  be  long  now,  I am  sure,  before 
Nippon  catches  up  with  America  and  Europe  in  the  education 


UNZEN  HOTEL 


Cable  Address,  “UNZEN” 


Unzen  ParK 
y.  ITOW,  Proprietor 


Telephone  Nos.  21i  25. 
P.  0.  Box.  No,  1 


and  after-care  of  its  unfortunates. 

Yes,  Folly  and  I do  get  very  tired  at  times,  but  we 
are  so  thankful  for  this  work,  we  do  not  mind  as  long  as 
we  keep  our  health  and  finish  with  flying  colors. 

Kow  the  work  for  the  Japanese  blind  is  being  well  organ- 
ized, and  Kr . Iwahashi,  who  has  a noble  personality,  and  his 
wife,  one  of  the  sweetest,  most  unselfish  women  I have  ever 
known,  are  taking  the  utmost  care  of  us.  Vre  have  two  girls 
who  speak  English  and  who  serve  as  maids.  If  we  only  say 
we  have  an  ache  or  a pain,  the  best  physicians  are  summoned 
to  our  aid  — and  I want  you  to  know,  Kella,  they  are 
Excellent.  In  fact  we  have  never  been  so  well  looked  after 
in  our  lives. 

I am  glad  Bertha's  health  has  improved  and  that  she  is 
back  with  you.  P lease  greet  her  for  us. 

'I'lith  our  love  to  Keith  and  Jake,  and  with  a caress 
for  Remis,  I am. 


Affectionately  your  friend 


7llt  SEMINOLE  AVENUE 


FORESX  HILLS.  NEW  YORK 


Dear  Nella, 

Polly  and  I were  eorry  not  to  see  you  and  wirfi  you  a happy 
Christmas  before  rushing  off  to  Washington,  but  an  inexorable 
Parca  has  apparently  decreed  that  whenever  I go  away,  I must 
work  every  minute  by  way  of  penance. 

Good  gracious,  Nellal  I see  no  and  to  my  commissions  and 
omissions  in  the  journal.  I have  just  discovered  that  I mi^ 
spelled  the  name  of  Lenore’e  daughter.  It  should  be  Katharine, 
not  Katherine.  I hope  it  isn't  asking  too  much  to  have  that 
mistake  corrected  at  this  late  day. 

Both  Phil  and  Lenore  are  saying  lovely  things  to  me  about 
the  diary.  They  are  downri^t  in  their  ways  and  not  given  to 
superficial  compliments.  So  I feel  really  touched  when  they 
declare  that  in  some  ways  the  journal  is  the  best  book  I have 
written.  Very  encouraging,  is  it  not? 

You  are  a darling,  Nella,  to  relieve  me  of  embarrassment 
and  more  tedious  work  in  connection  with  the  "Helen  Keller 
Pageant."  Your  advice  will,  I am  sure,  help  make  it  the  in- 
teresting and  attractive  bit  of  symbolism  Teacher  would  wish 
it  to  be.  Thank  you  ever  so  nuch.  I shall  say  more  when  I 
have  freedom  of  mind  in  a letter  from  Florida. 

With  our  love  to  you  both,  and  with  Christmas  Greetings 
from  Phil  and  Lenore,  I am. 


As  ever  your  affectionate  friend. 


Washington,  D.  C.,  Christmas,  1957* 


Palm  Beach,  Florida,  January  24,  19J8. 

Dear  Nella, 

There  is  no  measuring  in  words  the  helpfulness  of  your  letters  the  past 
month.  Only  the  heart  can  measure  it,  and  joy  in  your  approval  alone  can 
sound  my  deep  gratitude.  Mark  Twain  used  to  call  I/iTs.  Clemens  "the  Critic 
of  the  Hearth.  " You  are  more  — you  are  Iris  who  discreetly  carries  mes- 
sages between  my  lonely  citadel  and  the  Olympus  of  letters. 

How  often  you  lift  your  thinking  hand  to  ease  Polly's  and  ny  burden  I 
How  patiently  you  helped  smooth  out  kinks  and  tangles  while  1 went  throu^ 
the  drudgery  of  making  the  journal  presentable  to  the  world!  As  wo  talked, 
erased,  added,  altered,  revised  for  the  — unoountedth  time,  I felt  Teacher 
was  near.  Since  Polly  and  I ran  away  from  Forest  Hills,  you  have  valiantly 
stemmed  the  waves  of  public  importunity  forever  breaking  in  upon  our  work, 
holidays  and  even  intimacies  of  friendship. 

One  gratifying  thought  always  comes  when  I plan  to  live  as  I wish. 

Once  in  calm  waters  I shall  bo  free  to  steer  my  little  thought-bark,  plying 
the  routine  of  chart,  sail  and  epy**glass,  but  you,  dear  Nella,  will  ever  be 
the  counsellor,  like  the  compass  keeping  me  true  to  the  pole  of  creative 
effort . 

Well,  Polly  has  no  doubt  told  you  in  bulletin  form  how  three  weeks 
crawled  by  while  we  tried  to  rest  and  couldn't,  to  find  redeeming  features 
in  a flat,  artificial  playground  of  wealth  and  fashion  — and  I cried  for 
the  moon  in  the  shape  of  California  with  its  characterful  mountains,  sagfr* 
filled  canyons,  pungent  eucalyptus  trees.  However,  the  last  three  days  have 
flown  on  wings  of  delight. 

JiJr.  Migel  and  his  friend  General  Ely,  a veteran  of  the  World  War,  carried 
us  off  for  a cruise  down  through  the  Florida  Keys  as  far  as  Mattacumbia. 

The  beautiful  yacht,  "Mettamar,"  on  which  we  sailed  was  an  ideal  place  to 


sleep  and  "laze"  in  steamer  chairs,  letting  sun  and  wind  tan  our  faces  and 
banish  the  house-bred  debility  that  is  one  curse  of  present-day  civilization. 
There  could  not  have  been  a more  fitting  time  for  Polly  to  read  Lawrence 
Lee*  s poems  to  me  — the  first  opportunity  she  had  had  since  we  brought  them 
to  Palm  Beach.  Nothing  was  asked  of  us,  except  to  be  happy  and  forget  work, 
and  we  succeeded  in  loafing  whole-heartedly.  One  day  we  went  fishing,  struggling 
against  the  Gulf  Stream,  holding  on  to  the  rail  of  the  launch  with  one  hand 
and  grasping  a rod  with  the  other.  Mr.  Migol  and  the  General  managed  to 
catch  some  fine  mackerel  and  kingfish.  It  was  good  fun.  Now  we  are  back  here 
more  contented,  remembering  the  wideness  of  the  sea  going  througji  the  entire 
gamut  of  blues  and  capturing  the  indescribable  pink  beauty  of  the  sunset. 

Thursday  night  we  leave  for  Forest  Hills,  our  pile  of  immediate  work 
considerably  reduced  and  less  urgent  tasks  fewer  apart  from  the  campaign. 

It  will  be  nice  to  have  that  "wee  housie"  all  to  ourselves  even  if,  as  Herbert 
says,  it  looks  like  a morgue  in  moth-balls  and  wrappers.  Round  February  15th 
we  expect  to  be  on  the  road,  perhaps  rushing  down  here  again  for  a meeting 
or  two. 

Your  last  letter  has  just  come.  You  are  right  about  the  journal,  Nella. 
Certainly  I should  like  to  do  my  bit  to  boost  the  diary,  the  House  of  Double 
day  has  done  so  much  for  me,  but  as  you  say  it  would  bo  too  tiring  to  work  for 
the  Foundation  and  to  appear  at  book  shops  also.  Besides,  I have  told  the 
Foundation  I refUse  to  undertake  any  other  kind  of  activity  on  the  tour,  and 
you  realize  that  under  the  circumstances  it  would  not  be  right  for  mo  to  spend 
time  selling  my  books. 

&it  I shall  be  glad  to  autograph  in  private  as  many  copies  as  I can. 

As  soon  as  we  know  ourselves  where  we  are  going,  I will  send  the  itinerary 
to  you. 

I appreciate  Mr.  Meule's  kindness  in  writing  to  Mr.  McIntyre,  and  I am 


pleased  he  received  a courteous  apology.  This  is  not  the  first  time  I have 
been  annoyed  and  amsed  too  by  that  0l3mpian's  inaccuracies. 

We  were  quite  as  relieved  as  you  wore  at  Ronus's  escape  from  the  trap. 
He  is  such  a fearless  little  explorer,  I foresee  that  hie  adventures  will  be 
legion,  but  ho  learns  aswell  as  dares,  and  I trust  he  will  come  out  of  them 
all  safe  and  sound. 

After  getting  homo  I hope  we  may  have  a good  visit  with  you.  Until 
then  I write  our  united  love  to  you  both. 


Affectionately  your  friend. 


I ■*  .xsoio®.*  euoeiiuoo  z 6«v>»«t  «d  b^^Iq 

.aciwiftoojsoi  a'.'iat'WlO  t»ri^  oz,i  bcnuajn  bim  b‘i%<uuiM  n»od 
.3.t^  9riJ  no-rt  eq*2:^,8'«i^^l  axa*  t»>r  sa  bov«xX*-i  aa  o^lt*  awa  t." 

FIh  .j-urfca4f  8^rifJ-arf.t  oast^jt  I ^Ta-iofqxa  amil  aeaXiaa^  a xicM  ei  «H 
a»dJ  to  iuo  at^o  «d  a*  IIe*aa  exna*l  i*d  ,aoi?aX 

L .bcueif  baa  «%ao  X-ta 

Ill'll  •iAjv  rf.+  Xw  Hztv  Uo:5  a iv.-sd  ^taai  »*  eqori  I amod  aniM«3  wm 

f .Aiod  uox  o&  9vcl  beJ-ln;  'M  a^Xta  I oeciX 


^ J 


't ' 

,’  jl*rt  ^«D\;  xlo^aaoiioa'i'iK 

1 ,r  ■ 

.•  , i JT3  J 5 it 

A 


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7111  Seminole  Avenue 
Forest  Hills,  New  York 


Dearest  Nella, 

When  one's  heart  is  overflowing  with  sweet 
emotion,  written  words  do  grov:  cold,  but  I must  try  to  tell 
you  in  soul  language,  before  we  leave  this  noon,  that  your 
Nest  of  Peace  is  twice  blest.  It  blesses  you  who  put  us  into 
it  for  six  v.'eeks ' Joy-gathering  and  us  who  have  revelled  in  (M 
its  enfolding  hospitality. 

Every  day  here,  Nella,  has  been  an  idyll  of 
freedom  both  in  mind  and  body.  New  grovrths  of  thought,  courage, 
and  will  to  conquer  have  "greened,"  as  the  German  phrase  has 
it,  in  every  nook  and  corner  of  my  being.  I am  going  away 
v.'ith  a tender  nostalgia  for  the  life  I have  tasted  here 
exempt  from  the  Incessant  sv;armlng  and  buzzing  of  the  human 
hive,  but  also  with  gladness  that  these  treasures  of  medita- 
tion, dream  and  happy  simplicity  will  be  stored  up  imperish- 
ably  in  my  spirit. 

How  inundated  we  have  been  with  every  kind  of 
beauty  every  minute  on  Foss  Mountain  1- -Sunshine  bewitching 
the  weariness  out  of  us.--Fta.ins  that  gave  me  the  fairy 
thrill  of  dripping  like  the  wild  flowers  at  my  f eet .--Uncon- 
fined  winds  annulling  the  disparity  between  my  lagging  flesh 
and  swift-flying  spirit-wings. — Polly's  fingers  actually 
a-flutter  vfith  bird  glimpses  and  songs,  her  arms  outstretched 
in  eloquent  gestures  as  she  watched  the  horizon  or  tried  to 
picture  to  me  the  mountains  at  sunset  or  v/hen  the  lightning 
illumined  them. --Herbert ' s face  radiating  health  and  zest  in 
every thing. --The  earth  atune  with  long  grasses  as  I roamed  nm 
and  the  v.’hlte  pines  soughing  over  me.  But  why  run  on  and  on? 


Deai^  Kr.  Doubleday, 

A. 

I thank  you  for  your  very  kind  letter  with  enclosures.  Helen  is  writing 
this  for  me  because,  as  you  know,  I cannot  write  myself.  I am  not  yet  adjusted 
to  living  wholly  in  the  dark,  and  this  is  the  first  letter  I have  even  dictated 
for  a year. 

I was  surprised  to  receive  a check  for  part  of  the  sales  of  Mrs.  Henney's 
book.  I thought  I had  made  it  clear  to  her  that  I would  not  accept  any  part  of 
the  royalties  on  my  biography.  There  is  no  question  in  my  mind  that  it  is  her 
book.  For  a time  I thought  of  it  as  partly  mine,  and,  to  be  frank,  I hoped  I 
should  realize  something  from  it  when  I consented  to  have  it  published  during  my 
lifetime.  Mrs.  Henney  and  I discussed  terms  on  that  basis,  but  the  real  situa- 
tion dawned  upon  me  when  she  brought  me  the  contract  to  sign,  according  to  which 
half  the  royalties  would  be  paid  me  during  my  life,  and  would  at  my  death  revert 
to  her.  I saw  instantly  what  I should  have  recognized  from  the  beginning,  that 
a book  belongs  to  the  author  and  not  to  a person  or  persons  who  may  supply  the 
material.  I told  her  at  once  that  the  book  was  hers,  and  that  all  it  might  bring 
would  be  hers.  I am  still  of  the  same  mind.  There  is  no  possible  different 
attitude.  I,  therefore,  return  the  check,  with  regrets  that  you  have  had  extra 
bother  with  book-keeping. 

I should  appreciate  it,  Mr.  Doubleday,  if  you  would  tell  Mrs.  Henney  that  I 
consider  it  most  generous  of  her  to  wish  to  share  the  fruits  of  her  long  years 
of  conscientious  work  with  me,  and  I wish  her  many  pleasant  satisfactions  from 
the  book.  I sincerely  hope  with  you  that  it  will  eventually  win  the  success  it 
deserves.  I am  sorry  it  has  not  sold  better.  The  reviews  have  been  wonderful, 
and  there  can  bo  no  question  that  it  is  a well  written  book.  The  public  ought 
to  be  spanked  for  not  appreciating  it. 


Helen  also  wishes  to  than'  you  for  your  note  and  the  check.  She  is  amazed 
that  "The  Story  of  My  Life"  is  still  being  read  by  so  many  people. 

iVe  three,  here  in  the  hills  of  Scotland,  grieved  with  you  when  dear  Effendi 
died,  he  had  been  our  friend  for  so  many  years,  and  he  had  done  so  much  to  make 
life  easier  for  Helen  and  me.  When  some  friends  depart,  they  leave  a strange 
emptiness  in  the  world  that  is  never  filled,  and  Effendi  is  one  of  them. 

I feel  that  I am  not  worthy  of  all  the  kind  things  which  have  been  said 
about  me  since  the  publication  of  the  biography,  but  I am  grateful  for  them  all 
the  same,  and  shall  ever  be. 

Most  sincerely  yours, 

Oluiiu  l 

Muir  of  Ord,  Scotland, 

March  twenty- seventh.  , 


se€?/shj 


Looe«  Lotus-Land  in  th«  Spring,  1930 


Dear  Dnole  Walter, 

I haTO  made  many  attenpts  to  Write  to  you  slnoe  we  reached  this  paradise  the 
middle  of  ^ril,  but  nothing  mailable  has  resulted.  I simply  couldnot  write  here 
in  Cornwall  while  it  was  new  and  entrancing  to  every  faculty.  There’s  a spell  in 
the  air,  and  you  can't  escape  it.  The  wind  blows  about  your  face  so  free  and  care- 
less, and  gets  into  you,  and  you  don't  care  a little  bit  idiat  happens  to  the  rest 
of  the  universe.  It  oeoo.  tumble  into  space,  and  you  only  oat  another  pasty.  The 
Cornish  air  has  bewitched  mo  and  made  mo  forget  the  things  that  ought  to  be  done.  I 
syiQ)athise  with  the  Cornish  boy  who  said  "I  haav  an  ex' lent  memory,  but  cudn’  always 
mind  things  as  was  to  do." 

When  your  dear  letters  came,  they  were  gorse  to  my  oonsoienoe.  Have  you  over 
tried  to  pick  a bit  of  gorse  — golden  to  the  eye,  fragrant  to  the  nostril,  but 
terrible  to  touch.  Its  long  spines  pierce  the  fingers  cruelly,  I wonder  why  such 
a free-bom  plant  surrounds  Itself  with  a wall  of  threatening  spesirs.  Well,  "there 
'tis,  and  it  oaan’t  be  tisser,"  as  the  people  here  would  say,  and  I might  as  well 
say  the  same  of  my  own  oonsoienoe,  and  let  it  go  at  that. 

Polly  has  already  written  to  you  about  our  voyage,  which  is  all  to  the  goodi 
for  it  has  now  become  a dim  memory  to  this  lotus-eater.  I only  recall  that  wo 
often  wondered  where  we  should  go  after  wo  left  the  ship  at  Plymouth.  The  steward 
on  the  President  Roosevelt  advised  us  to  stay  in  Cornwall  if  wo  really  desired  quiet. 
A day  or  two  before  wo  landed,  Polly  received  a cable  from  her  sister  telling  us  to 
go  to  Bodrlgautt  at  Looe,  some  friends  of  hers  had  staiyed  there,  amd  liked  it.  That 
settled  the  matter.  >Vhon  we  got  off  the  tender,  wo  found  that  wo  could  motor  to 
Looe,  which  is  about  twenty  miles  from  Plymouth.  The  agent  of  the  United  Ctatos 
Lines  got  a oar  for  us,  and  wo  were  off  on  our  Groat  Adventure, 

Wo  found  the  streets  of  Plymouth  so  fascinating,  wo  nearly  changed  our  minds 
before  we  reached  the  ferry  that  crosses  the  Tamar  River  ■artiloh  separates  Devon  from 


- 2 - 


Cornwall#  Almost  every  one  we  passed  was  carrying  daffodils  baskets  full,  arms 

full,  poney*'oarts  full  — and  wo  bought  all  the  oar  could  hold  from  an  old  woman  for 
ton  cents.  That  was  my  first  contact  with  the  England  of  Shakespeare,  Shelley  and 
Wordsworth.  The  thought  flashed  into  my  mind  how  it  must  have  tom  the  hearts  of  ovir 
Pilgrim  Fathers  to  have  to  leave  this  dear,  beautiful  leind. 

There  is  a saying  in  this  country,  "Ef  you  caan't  stand  the  smell  of  now  broad, 
go  out  of  the  baake-house."  Now,  Uncle  Walter,  I give  you  fair  warning.  "If  you 
caan't  stand  a lot  o'  thrills"  and  ecstasies  and  romance  and  old  things,  you'd  best 
not  read  any  more  of  this  letter.  You  know  when  I start  on  a theme  that  captivates 
mo  I go  on  and  on  and  on  like  Tennyson's  brook.  One  can't  ramble  through  Paradise 
without  longing  to  share  the  precious  experience  with  those  outside.  What  would  I 
not  give  to  have  the  poet's  gift  of  making  others  see  what  he  sees  in  a few  vivid  wordsl 
Azid  oh.  Uncle  Walter,  the  things  I have  to  tell  you  are  like  the  leaves  of  the  trees 
for  aultitldeJ 

If  you  are  minded  to  go  on  with  the  letter,  come  with  us  into  Cornwall,  Once 
having  crossed  the  Tamar,  we  were  as  free  of  our  past  as  the  Israelites  were  free 
of  Egypt  on  the  other  side  of  the  Jordan,  When  our  oar  glided  off  the  ferry,  Polly's 
bright  eyes  lighted  on  the  "Queen's  Arms,"  a tiny  vdiitewashed  tavern  on  the  roadside. 

Its  aged  oaken  door  wouldn't  be  opened  for  two  hours,  the  driver  told  us.  In  a 
minute  we  were  in  what  they  call  here  a country  lane.  Wo  followed  a tributary  of  the 
Tamar  which  we  glimpsed  through  a mist  of  green.  The  trees  were  Just  budding. 

The  willows  were  already  in  leaf,  and  I oovild  smell  the  virgin  grass  and  reeds  — 
a tide  of  green  advancing  i^on  the  silver-grey  stream.  It  was  misting,  end  soft 
clouds  wore  tumbling  over  each  other  in  the  sky  which.  Teacher  said,  had  the  effect 
of  intensifying  the  greeness,  \intil  the  land  seemed  a groat  emerald.  Soon  wo 
passed  the  stream  and  went  speeding  between  grassy  hedges  thick  with  primroses  and 
violets,  I had  to  got  out  of  the  oar  half  a dozen  times  and  feel  the  blue  pools 
of  dog-violets  and  the  cascades  of  golden  primroses.  1 had  never  touched  anything 
like  it  before,  not  oven  in  California.  Nothing  I had  read  had  given  me  any  idea  of 


• 3 — 


what  an  English  hedge  was  like.  I Imagined  such  hedges  were  planted,  and  grew 
straight  from  the  ground  as  a priwt  hedge  gro»/s.  But  they  €U*en»t  like  that  at  all. 

Like  many  other  beautiful  things  in  England,  the  hedge-rows  have  their  origin 
in  homely  necessity.  When  the  land  was  cleared  for  crops  euid  pastures,  and  lanes 
were  out  through  them  which  in  time  became  roads,  the  sods,  loose  stones  and  under- 
brush were  left  on  the  sides  forming  moimds.  As  the  centuries  passed,  these  mounds 
became  each  year  thicker,  higher  and  more  inviting  to  wild  things  seeking  a place 
of  habitation.  The  farmers  kept  them  trimmed  without  taking  from  them  any  of  their 
uniqueness.  All  kinds  of  wild-flowers,  ferns  and  brambles  have  found  a home  on  those 
great  banks,  and  in  some  places  rows  of  trees,  some  very  large,  spring  up  from  seeds 
scattered  by  the  winds,  forming  a superhedge.  A blackthorn,  laurel,  broom,  hawthorn 
and  wild  oheriy  are  very  fond  of  the  hedges,  and  lavish  upon  them  all  their  beauty 
and  fragrance.  Evoi^  field  in  Cornwall  is  bordered  by  these  hedges,  which  eu’e  entered 
either  through  a gate  or  over  a log  or  stone  stile.  I have  clambered  over  many  of 
these  gates  and  stiles.  The  famors  don't  object  so  long  as  one  is  careful  to  close 
the  gate.  The  cattle  and  sheep,  gracing  in  the  lovely  pastures,  are  so  friendly,  they 
merely  lift  up  their  heads  when  wo  pass.  If  the  lambs  bloat,  the  ewes  look  at  them 
reprovingly.  One  day  when  I was  resting  in  a pasture,  the  sheep  oame  up  and  sniffed 

mj"^  dress a oom-flower  blue  color  — apparently  uncertain  whether  to  eat  it  or 

not.  In  all  Cornwall  there  isn't  an  unfonced  field  such  as  wo  see  everywhere  in 
America.  All  this  land,  except  parts  of  the  moors,  is  kept  under  oultivatlon. 

Bless  me,  how  I have  digressed.  But  Cornwall  is  all  twists  and  turns  and  crrmipled 
horns.  It's  in5)088ible  to  be  direct  and  logical  here.  To  be  in  a htirry  in  Cornwall 
is  to  be  stark  mad.  Here  one  moves  slowly,  looking  backward  and  forward,  upward  and 
downward  and  athwsurt.  Hushing  from  one  thing  to  another  is  unthinkable  where  beauty 
abounds,  and  exquisite  thrills  wait  on  every  step.  But  I must  got  on  to  Looe. 

Imagine  ovir  delight  vdien  another  beautiful  stream  oame  alongside  the  oar  and 
munnured  "I  am  Miss  Looe."  The  exclamations  shouted  into  my  hands  made  me  sense  her 


- 4 - 


loveliness  as  she  followed  us  softly  among  the  green  fields,  her  banks  fringed  Yrtth 
budding  trees  and  tall  swaying  rushes.  As  we  neared  the  oliffs  of  Looe,  a silver-grey 
oloud  drifted  up  the  river  and  dissolved  into  a thousand  gulls.  We  found  later  that 
Looe  is  the  gulls'  paradise.  They  take  possession  of  the  rooks,  the  fishing-boats 
and  the  roofs  of  the  houses.  If  there  is  anything  floating  on  the  water,  they  swoop 
down  i^on  it,  and  it's  gone.  I could  write  a irtiole  letter  about  the  gulls  alone,  they 
are  so  interesting.  On  the  wing  they  are  the  spirit  of  heauty,  and  in  the  storm  they 
are  the  spirit  of  the  tempest.  The  fishermen  look  upon  the  gull  as  their  friend 
because  it  hovers  over  their  boats  and  warns  them  with  Its  plaintive  cry  of  approaching 
storm,  it  flies  jifter  them  when  they  go  out  of  the  harbor  and  meets  them  when  they 
return.  The  gulls  are  voracious  thieves,  and  when  fish  is  scarce,  they  go  inland  and 
feed  on  the  fields]  but  no  one  in  Looe  begrudges  them  anything  they  steal,  and  woe 
betide  anybody  who  interferes  with  the  gulls  or  harms  them.  It  Is  amasing  how  many 
kinds  of  g\tlls  there  are  — whits  gulls  with  ebony-tipped  wings,  white  gulls  with 
grey  wings,  brown  gulls  with  yellow  beaks.  A swarm  of  sea-gulls  on  the  bare  oliffs 
is  one  of  the  moat  beautiful  eights  in  natiure. 

So  amid  the  clamor  and  the  flight  of  gulls  wo  arrived  in  Looe.  We  loft  the  oar 
at  the  foot  of  the  cliff  whore  Miss  Looe  joins  her  sweetheart  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

The  raaiiager  of  the  Bodrigan,  a pleasant  young  man,  Mr.  Marshall,  mat  us,  and  we  climbed 
to  our  bungalow.  I know  you  will  be  interested  to  hoar  abo\xt  this  little  place.  There 
is  a nice  sitting-room  with  a fire,  a piano,  comfortable  chairs  suid  lounges,  a cabinet 
with  beautiful  copper  plates,  kettles  and  candle- sticks,  and  over  the  fireplace  quite 
a display  of  old  china  figures  and  jugs.  On  each  side  of  the  hearth  is  an  old- 
fashioned  seat  where  I sit  toasting  my  feet  when  I road.  There  is  also  a large  window 
and  glass  door  opening  outward  upon  the  porch.  A little  hall  separates  the  sitting- 
room  from  the  three  bed-rooms  and  bath.  We  have  electric  lights  and  all  the  conveni- 
ences. Two  sweet  girls  attend  to  eveiything  and  keep  the  fire  bright.  Wo  take  our 
meals  in  the  dining-*oom  of  the  hotel  which  is  only  a few  steps  from  the  bvmgalow. 


- 6 - 


All  thle  oomfort,  beauty  and  peace  ie  ours  for  only  eighty-flTe  dollars  a week* 

Our  wee  porch  Is  a delight.  There  we  bask  in  the  sunshine,  and  we  never  tire 
ot  watching  the  river  below,  which  is  like  a jade  pool  when  the  tide  is  in.  The  fishing- 
fleet  comes  and  goes  with  the  tide,  escorted  by  the  gulls.  Beside  the  fleet  there 
are  sail-boats  and  freight-schooners,  and  sometimes  a yacht  comes  in  for  afternoon 
tea  or  provisions.  Their  visits  are  hurried,  as  the  tide  waits  for  no  man.  In  spite 
of  all  the  activity  on  the  little  river,  it  is  very  quiet.  At  first  we  couldn’t 
understand  why  there  was  such  silence.  7io  learned  that  fishes  are  siq)posed  to  be  very 
sensitive  to  sounds,  and  the  fishermen  consider  it  a deadly  sin  to  whistle  or  sing  or 
make  the  least  noise  when  their  nets  are  spread  for  a oatoh.  Beyond  the  snug  little 
harbor  is  the  sea,  Bind  without  getting  vp  from  our  chairs  we  can  look  across  the  great 
waters  to  Sandy  Hook.  Polly  often  glinqjses  the  big  liners  on  their  way  to  and  from 
America. 

Looe  itself  is  fascinating  with  its  narrow  crooked  streets  following  the  line  of 
the  cliffs,  its  houses  rising  one  above  another  and  the  green  sat  of  green  hill-pastures 
as  a background.  When  we  walk  by  the  sea  I can  smell  it  and  feel  the  spray,  but  the 
solidity  of  the  cliffs  prevents  mo  from  getting  the  vibrations.  As  we  climb  the  steep 
paths,  we  pause  for  breath  and  look  backward  and  forward,  upward  and  downward  and 
athwart.  We  notice  how  constantly  the  sea  changes  from  turquoise  to  sapphire,  from 
aquarraarino  to  gun-metol,  hard  «md  burnished  like  armor.  Sometimes  it  is  gentle  and 
playful,  frolicking  on  the  golden  sands  or  creeping  over  the  dark  rooks  to  fall  asleep 
in  the  hollows  and  crannies  like  a tired  child.  At  other  times  the  spirit  of  demons  is 
in  its  thrashing  waves*  This  morning  it  lay  very  still  under  a soft  blanket  of  mist. 

Now  it  is  rumpl5ng  up  its  foathere  like  an  angry  eagle.  Its  unique  feature  is  diversity, 
I am  told  that  Cornish  people  always  turn  their  faces  to  the  sea  vrtion  they  are  talking, 
and  why  not?  The  sea  is  in  their  blook,  it  is  their  workshop,  their  play^groxmd  and 
sometimes  their  grave. 

I don't  wonder  that  sduggling  was  popular  in  Cornwall,  nature  seems  to  have 
intended  the  "delectable  Duchy"  for  that  exciting  occupation.  The  Cornish  coast  is 


$ m 


full  of  hidden  buys,  headlande  and  mysterious  inlets  to  caves  and  galleries  suitable 
for  hiding  silk,  tea,  French  wines  and  good  oognao.  These  cool  caverns  and  grottos 
are  deserted  now,  except  for  the  fairies  vtho  dwell  in  theiu  The  smugglers  were  fight- 
ing men  ^vho  regarded  their  trade  as  honorable,  and  defended  their  little  crafts  with 
their  lives.  One  at  least  could  fight  and  forgive  when  worsted,  like  the  old  smuggler 
at  Talland  srtio  had  it  recorded  on  his  tombstone  that  he  prayed  God  "to  pardon  those 
wicked  preventive  men  who  shed  his  innocent  blood." 

The  fishing  villages  of  Cornwall  are  very  picturesque  seen  either  from  the  beaches 
or  the  hill-tops,  with  all  their  boats  riding  to  their  moorings  or  sailing  about  in  the 
harbor.  One  of  the  most  impressive  spectacles  that  has  been  described  to  me  is  the 
boats  drifting  on  the  dark  waters  at  night  with  their  lights  twinkling.  The  scene  is 
must  peaveful,  not  a sound  reaches  the  shore.  For,  as  I said  before,  the  fishermen  are 
silent.  Can  you  imagine  anything  more  fascinating,  Unole  TWalter,  than  to  feast  your 
eyes  upon  such  a picture?  Teacher  and  Polly  give  me  such  vivid  word-pictures  that  I 
am  spellbound.  'When  the  moon,  large  and  serene,  floats  up  the  sky,  leaving  in  the  water 
a long  track  of  brightnesa,  like  a plough  breaking  up  a soil  of  silver,  I can  only  sigh 
my  ecstasy. 

The  coast  villages,  beautiful  in  the  sunshine,  are  glorified  by  the  moonlight. 

The  houses  nestle  in  the  rooks,  eoid  seem  a part  of  them.  £aoh  house  is  surrounded  by 
a stone  wall,  which  prevents  the  garden  from  sliding  into  the  water,  and  the  effect  is 
of  hanging  gardens,  the  flowers  cascading  over  the  rocks  in  astonishing  profusion* 

When  we  oaase  here  the  middle  of  J^ril,  the  walls  were  covered  with  daffodils,  violets 
and  primroses,  wall-flowers,  forget-me-nots  and  a piare  white  flower  called  snow-on-the 
mountain.  After  the  primroses  and  violets  came  wild  hyaoinths,  very  fragrant,  with 
long,  pliant  stems  and  dainty  blue  balls  ringing  the  changes  of  spring  in  every  nook 
and  corner  of  Cornwall,  naroissi,  or  "sweet  Nanoys"  as  they  are  called  here,  wind- 
flowers (anemones)  very  large  and  brilliant,  and  the  delioate  English  daisy,  always 
attended  by  the  golden  buttercup,  and  the  ragged  robin,  or  wild  geranium.  Then  oame 
the  rhododendrons  and  azaleas.  I wonder  if  you  have  ever  seen  rhododendrons  grow 


- 7 - 


into  trees.  UTe  hadn't,  and  their  orimeon  splendor  took  away  our  breath.  T¥e  saw  one 
hedge  of  them  that  is  nine  miles  long  - a blaze  of  color.  Before  the  rhododendrons  were 
quite  gone,  there  came  billows  of  apple,  pear  and  oherry  blossoms,  mingled  with  the 
scents  of  lilac  and  honeysuckle.  Now  the  hawthorn,  the  roses,  peonies  euid  blue-flags 
are  holding  high  cami-val  in  the  lanes.  I nose  through  this  tangled  wonderland,  touching 
the  flowers  imtil  my  fingers  tingle,  and  breathing  their  perfume  until  my  senses  achei 
Whatever  way  the  wind  blows,  it  brings  with  it  the  odors  of  gorse  and  the  countless 
wild-flowers  that  grow  untainted,  as  if  in  the  whole  world  there  were  no  such  things 
as  smoke-stacks,  crowded  cities  and  subways. 

The  cliffs  and  country  lanes  teem  with  life  i[diich  we  sense  even  when  we  can't  see 
it.  The  hillsides  fairly  twinkle  with  rabbits'  tails  as  they  scamper  away  at  our 
approach.  Feathered  life  is  abundant  everywhere  — gulls,  rooks,  crows,  trtilte  herons, 
swans,  wild  ducks  and  geese  and  pheasants.  There  is  an  estate  on  the  road  to  Plymouth 
where  they  shoot  seven  hundred  pheasants  in  a day  during  the  season.  When  we  pass  it,  we 
often  see  them  in  the  fields  and  on  the  road,  their  gorgeous  pltaaage  sparkling  in  the 
sxinlight.  With  the  first  peep  o'  dawn  the  larks  begin  to  trill.  Thousands  of  them 
rise  from  "the  dull  earth  to  sing  hymns  of  praise  at  Heaven's  gate."  From  the  ivy- 
covered  walls  we  hear  the  lonely  note  of  the  cuckoo  — the  sweet,  shy  bird  of  May* 
Although  Polly  watches  and  waits,  she  hasn't  been  fortunate  enough  to  see  one  yet. 

And  mingled  with  the  heavenly  scents,  the  flutter  of  wings  and  the  evening  song  of  birds 
is  the  music  of  the  sea  which  lulls  us  to  sleep,  washing  away  all  the  cares,  all  the 
strife  and  "all  the  old  pains  that  to  living  belong," 

There  is  much  of  interest  in  Cornwall  outside  its  rural  beauty.  The  people  them- 
selves are  charming,  so  friendly,  so  courteous.  The  hamlets  and  villages  are  darling, 
each  has  its  special  attraotlvenes  — its  ancient,  ivy-trellised  church  or  castle  or 
a holy  well  or  a unique  tavern.  Almost  every  house,  be  it  ever  so  tiny,  has  a flower- 
plot,  and  eaerji  window  is  a bouquet*  The  people  are  gifted  with  the  love  of  the  country. 

^ They  have  a quick  sensibility  to  the  charms  of  nature  and  a keen  enjoyment  of  simple 
pleasures  like  walking,  picnicking  and  hanging  over  the  garden  gates  chatting  with  their 


- 8 - 


naighbors  across  th®  narrow  street,  which  isn’t  a street  bvit  a zigsaggiug  path.  It 
is  a delight  to  meet  young  and  old  carrying  bunches  of  flowers  in  their  hands  or 
fastened  to  the  end  of  a stick  to  keep  them  fresh  or  tied  to  the  liandle-bars  of  their 
bicycles.  I can't  imagine  a prettier  sight  than  the  children  clambering  over  the 
hedges  picking  primroses  and  bluebells.  The  men  even  often  display  genuine  pride  and 
zeal  in  the  care  of  their  flower-plots  and  their  fruits  and  vegetable  gardens.  One  can 
see  them  digging  and  weeding  in  the  early  morning  and  after  supper,  bo  they  miners  or 
fishermen  or  merchant-men.  Every  spot  capable  of  vegetation  has  its  plant,  its  flower- 
ing shrub  or  tree,  and  even  the  granite  walls  gleam  with  refreshing  verdure.  Everything 
seems  to  be  the  growth  of  ages  of  regular  and  peaceful  existence. 

In  Cornwall  everything  is  alive.  The  mine  has  its  "nuggies"  which  the  miners  are 
careful  not  to  offend,  or  bad  luck  will  overtake  them.  The  sea  has  its  "buccas"  known 
to  the  fishermen.  If  spoken  fair,  they  bring  plenty  of  fish  into  the  nets  and  lobsters 
into  the  pots,  and  in  times  of  storm  and  danger  they  guide  and  boats  safely  into  harbor. 
Every  mill  and  field  has  its  "piskies"  who  tease  the  farmers  if  their  idiosyncraoies 
aren't  respected.  Every  pool  and  wood  and  moor  and  book  has  its  voice  or  moan  or  ghost. 
There  are  many  Cornish  legends  which  show  how  real  this  spirit  life  is  to  the  people. 

One  of  them  goes  like  thist  - 

"From  ghoulies  and  ghosties 
And  long-leggetty  beasties 
And  things  that  go  bus?)  in  the  night. 

Good  Lord,  deliver  us." 

Another  litahy  runsi  - 

"From  wizards  and  buzzards 
And  long-tailed  lizards 
And  things  that  creep 
Through  other  folks*  hedges. 

Good  Lord,  deliver  us." 

The  devil  also  plays  an  ijn^ortant  part  in  the  affairs  of  Cornwall.  He  is  politely 
referred  to  as  Old  Artful.  There  is  some  confusion  in  the  stories  told  about  him.  It 
is  said  he  never  crossed  the  Tamar  River,  and  if  this  be  true,  how  are  we  to  account  for 
hie  handiwork  hereabouts?  I myself  have  seen  Old  Artful's  frying-pan  at  the  end  of  Looe 


- 9 - 


Pier*  * I have  also  seen  the  hedge  he  built  one  day  from  Lerrin  to  Looe,  it  Is  se-ven 
miles  long.  Any  one  can  see  the  mark  of  the  olo-Ton  hoof  on  a stone  gate-post  not  far 
from  St,  Mowan’s  Chviroh.  It  is  said  that  the  saint  wanted  a high  tower  to  his  ohuroh, 
but  Old  Artful  objected,  and  there  was  a battle  royal  between  him  and  the  saint.  The 
saint  came  out  victor,  but  Old  Artful  loft  his  mark.  It  is  recorded  that  Old  Artful, 
wishing  to  interfere  with  the  building  of  a church  tower  at  Ladook,  changed  himself  into 
a raven  and  flew  into  the  churohi  but  the  babies  who  were  brought  to  be  baptized  set 
up  such  a howling  that  he  flew  out  again.  Whenever  a church  is  built  in  an  inconvenient 
place,  the  blame  is  laid  on  Old  Artful,  who  would  have  it  there  and  nowhere  else.  There 
are  pictures  which  show  him  removing  at  night  the  foundations  sdiloh  the  masons  had  laid 
during  the  day.  One  day  Old  Artful  saw  a Cornish  housewife  laaking  a conger  pie,  and 
asked  her  sdiat  she  ptxt  inside.  The  old  woman,  smelling  brimstone,  answered,  "If  you 
don’t  take  yourself  off  pretty  quick.  I'll  clap  you  inside,  and  then  wo  shidl  have 
deviled  pie."  This  so  alarmed  him  that  he  gave  a hop,  skip  and  jui^  and  landed  at 
Devil’s  Point  in  the  next  county.  From  one  end  of  the  Duoy  to  the  other  there  are  traces 
of  his  Satanic  Majesty  — unmistakable  foot-prints,  bellows,  o-nens  and  frying-pans. 

When  anything  is  to  bo  accounted  for  in  Cornwall,  it  is  put  down  to  the  saints  or 
the  plskies  or  Old  Artful  or  the  giants.  The  giants  have  left  behind  them  almost  as 
mcmy  landmarks  as  the  saints  and  Old  Artful.  The  Cheese  Wring  is  perhaps  the  most 
Impressiva.  It  marks  the  end  of  the  giants’  reign  in  the  "Duchy".  The  saints  had 
arrived,  and  gained  favor  with  the  people,  who  supplied  them  with  fish  on  Fridays.  The 
giants  grew  jealous,  and  resolved  to  chase  the  saints  out  of  the  country.  Various 
methods  were  tried  such  as  boiling,  baking  and  grilling,  b\it  the  saints  multiplied. 

The  giants,  being  a quarrelsome  race,  wore  fond  of  hurling  rooks  at  one  another.  On 
one  occasion  the  were  holding  an  open-air  meeting  near  St.  Tua’s  holy  well.  When  St. 

Tue  heard  they  mighty  shouts  and  felt  the  earth  shake  as  the  giants  tossed  rocks  about, 
ho  came  out  of  his  cave  and  saw  a sign  in  the  sky  and  went  to  their  rendezvous.  Dodging 
In  and  out  between  the  giants’  legs  ho  managed  to  roach  the  centre  of  the  arena.  He 
was  a tiny  man,  and  said  to  Uthor,  the  biggest  giant,  "Pick  me  up,  I have  something  to 


- 10  - 


■ajr."  Uther  baing  a strong  man,  admired  the  pluck  of  the  little  saint,  picked  him 
up  and  held  him  in  the  palm  of  his  hand,  thinking  that  iriien  the  saint  had  made  his 
oration,  ho  would  chuck  him  into  one  of  his  pookats#  Trfhat  St.  Tuo  had  to  say  was  that, 
since  the  giants  were  warring  against  Heaven,  he  had  come  to  challenge  them  to  a contest 
of  rook  hurling.  If  he  was  heaton,  the  saints  would  agree  to  leave  the  lend,  if  he  won, 
the  giants  would  all  bo  baptised  with  the  sign  of  the  Cross.  TUith  laughter  that  shook 
the  parish  from  end  to  end  and  much  rude  comment  on  the  saint's  lean  and  hungry 
appearance  the  challenge  was  accepted.  There  were  twelve  rocks  to  be  hurled  in  the 
contest.  The  fairly  round  small  stones  were  pitched  a hvindrod  feet  to  start  with. 

St.  Tue's  knees  shook  vdien  his  tiim  came,  but  faith  strengthened  his  arm  when  he  bent 
to  pick  the  rook.  It  was  a feather  in  his  hand.  He  hurled  it  with  such  precision  that 
it  capped  number  one,  as  though  it  grew  there.  The  game  went  on,  and  the  pile  grea 
higher  and  higher.  The  giants  shouted  mightily  when  other's  rook  capped  the  saint's, 
but  they  groaned  and  showed  tester  when  St.  Tue's  rook  capped  Uther 's.  It  was  St.  Tue's 
tuxTi  to  hurl  the  twelfth  rook.  The  giants  held  their  breath.  The  great  rook  rose  in 
air  and  descended  upon  the  pile  as  true  as  a die.  Still  the  giants  were  not  satisfied. 

A thirteenth  rook  was  brought,  so  huge  that  even  Uther  trembled  when  he  saw  it.  But  he 
lifted  it  with  both  hands  and  hurled  it  with  all  his  might,  and  it  fell  to  earth  short 
of  the  pile.  He  fell  in  a heap  exhausted.  St.  Tue  looked  at  the  sone  and  at  the 
heavens  and  breathed  a silezrt  prayer.  Wien  he  reached  for  the  stone,  he  saw  that  an 
angelic  host  was  lifting  it.  They  carried  it  through  the  air  and  placed  it  as  a crown 
upon  the  Wring  for  all  men  to  marvel  at  evermore.  Uther  bowed  his  head  and  confessed 
his  sins,  and  St.  Tue  baptized  him.  Uany  followed  his  exan^le,  but  some  who  were  blind 
with  rage  refused,  and  were  driven  out  of  the  land.  If  you  doubt  this  story.  Uncle 
Walter,  you  must  come  to  Cornwall  and  see  the  Cheese  Wring  for  yourself.  If  there  is 
still  the  slightest  doubt  in  your  mind  of  the  authenticity  of  the  story,  you  must  visit 
St.  Tue's  grave.  You  will  see  an  elm,  an  oak  and  an  ash  growing  on  it,  their  roots 
forming  an  arch  from  under  vdiioh  a spring  of  clear  water  gushes  out  of  the  earth.  It 
is  said,  if  a Oomish  bride  drinks  first  of  the  water,  she  will  dominate  her  husband  and 
be  the  true  head  of  the  house.  There  are  innumerable  legends  about  the  giants  and  the 


- 11  - 


saints.  Sometime  I will  tell  you  how  St.  Agnes,  who  came  o-vor  from  Iroland  on  a 
cabbage  leaf,  rid  the  country  of  Bolster,  the  king  of  Giant-land. 

Cornwall  is  known  as  the  land  of  the  Saints.  At  one  time  Irish  saints  swarmed 
across  the  Channel  in  such  crowds  that  King  Tawdrig  was  in  danger  of  being  eaten  out 
of  house  and  home.  His  keeper  of  provisions  reported  that  every  living  thing  in  air 
and  field  and  wood  had  been  devoured,  that  all  the  salted  meats  in  the  keeves  had 
disappeared,  and  he  ended  his  report  by  saying,  "If  you  don’t  stop  this  immigration  of 
Irish  saints,  wo  shall  bo  oaten  up  sdive."  The  good  King  ordered  the  castle  to  bo  put  in 
mourning,  and  when  a new  shipload  of  Irish  saints  arrived,  the  keeper  announced  that 
the  King  was  dead,  and  that  his  last  words  were,  "Give  them  my  bones,  since  there  is 
nothing  loft  in  the  land  to  eat,"  The  king  enjoyed  his  ovm  fvineral,  and  when  the  time 
came,  ho  got  up  smd  looked  through  a peep-hole  to  see  the  procession.  "The  saints", 
he  said,  "will  surely  give  me  a grand  funeral}"  but  he  was  mist  ken.  mien  they  heard 
that  all  the  keeves  were  empty,  they  departed,  and  there  wasn’t  a saint  left  in  the 
land  on  the  morrow.  They  must  have  returned  shortly}  for  saints  are  plentiful  in 
Cornwall.  Ho  sooner  is  one  out  of  the  Pariah  of  St.  Austell  than  one  is  in  to  the 
Parish  of  St.  Blasey,  and  from  St.  Blasey  one  goes  to  St.  Columh,  and  so  on  through  the 
alphabet.  Chapels,  hermits’  cells  and  holywells  abound.  There  is  one  sparkling  spring 
vdiich  insures  one  from  hanging  if  one  has  been  fortunate  enough  to  be  christened  with 
its  waters.  There  is  another  spring,  in  which,  if  a madman  is  ducked,  he  will  be  cured. 
Then  there  is  another  well  in  which  a maiden  may  see  her  future.  One  which  especially 
interests  mo  is  under  weeping  willows  in  a cool  stone  grotto,  St.  Cubbie’s  Well,  where 
lovers  go  to  plight  their  troth, 

Cornish  dwellings  are  very  Interesting.  The  houses  are  small,  and  I can  feel 
them  from  door  to  chimney-pot  without  much  difficulty.  To  bo  wlnd-and-watertight  is 
the  common  idea  of  a comfortable  abode.  On  the  moors  and  on  the  coast  the  houses  are 
of  stone.  If  stone  is  scarce,  the  yellow  earth  is  mixed  with  a little  chopped  straw 
to  make  walls  that  resemble  the  soil,  TOien  they  are  covered  with  thatch  and  half  hidden 
with  creepers,  roses  and  wisteria,  they  are  very  pleasant  to  look  upon.  (Thatched  roofs 
are  still  to  be  seen  here).  Everywhere  the  fishermen’s  idea  of  comfort  is  snugness. 


- 12  - 


Hie  first  thought  is  a dry  shelter  for  his  nets,  fishing-gear,  sails  and  spars* 

Above  ho  oonstruots  a loft,  ehioh  ha  divides  into  tiny  rooms  fitted  up  with  lookers 
like  the  oabin  of  a ship.  He  builds  as  near  the  harbor  as  possible.  He  gets  down  to 
the  ground  by  moans  of  stone  stops  which  have  the  appearance  of  the  gang-way  of  a 
ship*  He  even  makes  a hatch  in  the  kitchen  which  he  lifts  whan  he  descends  into 
the  cellar.  Just  as  we  would  go  down  into  the  hold  of  a ship.  He  likes  to  Jump  out 
of  his  boat  and  into  his  bed  in  the  shoii:eBt  time  possible,  he  detests  walking  any 
more  than  he  oan  help  after  landing.  For  this  reason  the  idea  of  a street  never 
enters  his  head.  That  is  irtiy  the  streets  of  Newlyn,  St.  Ives,  Mevagissey,  Fowoy 
(pronounced  Foy)  Polperro  and  Looe  are  so  erratic  and  fascinating*  One  person  oan 
block  iq>  the  whole  thoroughfare  in  one  of  these  villages*  Were  it  not  for  the 
flowers  that  adorn  the  fishermen’s  dwellings,  they  would  be  rather  unoouthj  but 
when  geraniums,  roses,  fusohslas  and  Jasmine  cover  them,  they  are  charming. 

The  old  churches  of  Cornwall,  with  their  massive  portals,  arches  and  square 
towers,  show  more  regard  for  arohiteotxiral  details*  The  Nonnan  towers  I can't  touch, 
but  I can  reach  the  arches  and  feel  the  carved  screens  between  the  body  of  the 
church  and  the  altar.  In  the  little  Talland  church,  which  isn't  far  from  us, 
luscious  grapes,  wine-glasses,  keys,  shields,  crowns  and  many  other  objects  are 
carved  on  the  ends  of  the  pews*  The  pews  of  the  gentry  in  these  old  churches  are 
always  separated  from  those  of  the  common  folk.  Under  the  stone  aisles  are  buried 
the  first  families  of  the  land.  The  lettering  on  the  slabs  is  still  distinct  after 
several  hundred  years.  I road  the  date  1671  on  the  baptismal  font  at  the  Talland 
church.  There,  too,  under  the  entrance  arch,  opposite  the  church  door,  I was 
shocked  to  find  the  stocks  where  prisoners  used  to  bo  pilloried.  The  oraaq>ed  stone 
seat  where  they  suffered  made  my  bones  aoho,  and  the  holes  where  their  arms  were  held 
as  in  a vise  sickened  me.  It  is  difflovilt  to  imagine  the  feelings  of  Christian 
people  who  passed  those  poor  wretches  on  their  way  to  worship  Him  who  said  "Let  him 
who  has  committed  no  sin  oast  the  first  stone." 

altars  and  screens  of  the  churches  are  elaborately  carved.  The  tombstones 


- 13  - 


in  the  graveyards  record  successive  generations  of  warriors  and  worthies  of  the 
olden  time  whose  progeny  still  own  the  same  fields  and  kneel  at  the  same  altars. 

(l  am  not  quite  as  sure  that  they  kneel  as  that  they  own  the  fields.)  The 
parsonage  or  vicarage  as  it  is  called  if  it  belongs  to  the  Church  of  England,  is 
usually  netu*,  and  is  often  as  antiquated  as  the  church.  In  old  times  stiles  and 
foor-paths  led  from  the  church-yard  over  pleasant  fields,  along  shady  hedge-rows  to 
the  mansions  of  the  gentry  standing  apsurt  in  their  rural  beauty,  surrounded  by 
noble  trees. 

The  Cornish  people  must  have  been  very  religious  indeed,  if  we  are  to  Judge 
from  the  nimiber  of  churohes  they  built.  In  the  Parish  of  Paul  the  towers  of  fifteen 
parish  churches  can  be  counted  from  one  spotj  In  the  early  days  when  roads  were  few 
and  very  bad,  the  ohuroh-towers  served  as  guides.  The  people  spoke  of  the  distance 
from  one  church-tower  to  another.  Even  now  they  know  these  towers  by  sight  and  their 
bells  by  sound. 

Besides  the  Church  of  England  there  are  chapels,  or  "Both-els,"  scattered  over 
the  moors  whore  the  minors  and  their  families  hold  love-feasts  and  prayer-meetings. 
Their  day  of  days  is  Wiitmonday.  As  sure  as  that  day  comes  rotmd,  the  miners  begin 
to  tune  up  because  they  feel  good.  It  is  a something  in  the  air  iidiioh  makes  the 
cuckoo  put  his  head  out  of  his  green  window  and  utter  his  sweet,  mournful  note.  Then 
other  birds  start  singing,  and  the  miners  come  out  from  their  cottages  and  sing  too. 

In  fact,  all  England  goes  on  a holiday  Ihltmonday.  It  is  a day  of  picnics,  of  bands 
and  pageants.  Everything  with  wheels  goes  down  the  cliffs,  along  the  lanes  and  athwart 
the  beaches.  Chairs  are  put  in  wagons  for  old  people,  so  that  they  oan  have  their 
good  share  of  the  day.  From  our  little  porch  we  watched  the  laughing,  singing, 
dancing  throng  which  Invaded  Looe  like  locusts  — three  thousandl  Wo  wondered  how 
little  Looe  would  find  rolls,  osdce  and  tea  for  them  all.  Fortunately,  some  of  them 
brought  their  lunch}  b\it  every  eating-place  was  crowded  to  its  "all  and  utmost." 

How  your  hospitable  heart  would  have  rejoiced.  Uncle  Walter,  in  that  glad  and  gay 


soenei 


- 14 


Th«  ”Weslums''f  as  the  Methodist  miners  oall  themselves*  have  a special 
celebration  on  Whitmonday  which  commemorates  the  occasion  when  John  Wesley  preached  in 
the  Pit.  Ho  wouldn't  recognise  the  Pit  as  it  is  now.  They  say  it  resembles  a 
natural  amphitheatre  — a groat  bowl.  In  Wesley's  time  it  was  in  "a  state  of  nature", 
but  when  it  became  a place  of  mooting  and  prayer,  the  minors  dug  terraces  into  the 
liuid,  ««viTig  the  bowl  larger  and  rounder,  the  seats  rising  in  tiers  one  above  another, 
thus  creating  a ta!iq>le  on  the  moors  to  iriiioh  thousands  of  simple,  hard-working  people 
flock  as  to  a shrine. 

John  Wesley  is  a saint  in  Cornwall  today.  Ho  one  would  shy  stones  at  him  as 
they  did  #ien  ho  began  preaching  to  the  miners.  The  trick  of  stoning  people  who 
come  with  a message  of  blessing  to  the  unprivileged  of  the  world  has,  I hope,  been 
loot  in  Cornwall.  Saving  miners'  souls  was  not  a popxilar  enterprise  when  Wesley 
introduced  it  into  the  west  eounti^.  He  was  driven  from  one  parish  to  Ginother,  and 
banished  to  the  moors,  where  he  lived  as  best  he  could  on  berries  and  turnips*  The 
blaokberriss  were  plentiful,  in  spite  of  the  faot  that  Old  Artful  cursed  them  when 
St*  Michael  whipped  him  o\it  of  the  "Duchy"  with  his  stout  blackthorn  staff*  Cold, 
hungry,  shelterless,  John  Wesley  rode  his  bony  little  nag  to  cockpit,  wrestlings 
ring  and  public-houses,  where  he  wrestled  fearlessly  for  men's  salvation.  The  miners 
came  to  his  meetings  in  greater  and  even  greater  numbers,  and  a new  spirit  took 
possession  of  the  moors  and  the  hearts  of  hximble  folk* 

I have  told  you.  Uncle  Walter,  aboxit  Cornwall's  old  ohurches,  old  wells,  old 
houses.  How  I'm  going  to  shook  you,  perhaps,  by  describing  the  old  taverns  that 
offer  hospitable  oheer  to  those  who  enter  their  time-scored  doors*  If  I could  convey 
to  you  any  notion  of  the  charm,  the  cosiness,  the  beauty  of  these  hostals,  you 
wouldn't  bo  shocked,  I know*  On  the  oontrsury,  you  would,  maybe,  got  together  a 
society  for  transporting  some  of  Cornwall's  "Rod  Lions,"  "Punch-Bowls,"  "Rising  Suns," 
"Jubilees,"  "White  Harts,"  "Silver  Arrows,"  and  "Bright  Angels"  to  the  Ihilted  States, 

^ will  try  to  describe  the  "Punch-Bowl  Tavern"  at  Landreth*  It  is  at  the  txmi 
of  the  road,  next  to  a beautiful  little  church.  The  building  is  so  low,  I can  reach 


- 16  - 


tq)  to  the  eaves*  There  is  a cobble  drive  through  the  middle  of  it  where  in  the 
old  days  the  coach  and  six  stood  while  the  travelers  alighted  for  refreshment. 

Inside  it  is  finished  in  old  oak,  very  sjoooth  and  rich  in  color.  On  the  walls  are 
old  plates  and  Jugs.  If  you  ask,  they  will  show  you  the  original  punoh*>bowl,  a 
beautiful  piece  of  china  worth  fifty  pounds  at  least.  I am  sxirprised  it  hasn’t  boon 
carried  off  before  this.  The  Tavern  is  kept  by  two  women,  a mother  and  daughter.  The 
mother  is  white-haired,  and  has  a very  sweet  face.  The  daughter  is  extremely  pretty, 
and  they  are  both  refined,  with  low,  pleasant  voices.  IVhen  we  first  went  there,  the 
young  woman  was  arranging  flowers,  and  a very  pretty  picture  she  made  when  she  cane 
to  the  door,  her  hands  full  of  bluebells  and  narcissi.  Everything  abotxt  the  place 
was  neat  and  homelike.  We  went  into  the  garden,  which  was  full  of  violets,  forget- 
me-nots,  bluebells,  buterov^s  and  roses  vdilch  were  not  in  bloom,  but  when  they  are, 
the  wee  road-house  must  bo  a bower  of  delight.  Eveiy  village  and  )Tamlet  has  one  or 
more  of  these  quiet  nooks  of  enjoyment  and  friendship.  Some  of  them  are  near  a 
harbor  or  headland,  and  one  can  sit  in  a tiny  garden,  look  through  a latticed  rose 
window  and  see  the  ships  passing  on  the  open  sea.  If  you  partake  of  the  excellent 
food  served  in  such  a picturesque  setting,  and  take  with  it  a good  red  wine,  you  will 
be  rejuvenated  for  months. 

But  man  can’t  live  for  old  houses,  old  wells,  old  ehurohes  and  old  taverns 
alone,  he  must  work  as  well  as  eat  and  pray. 

Next  to  farming,  ohlna  olay  is  the  chief  industry  here.  Saint  Ausoell  (pron- 
ounced Saint  Auzell)  is  the  center  of  the  olay  region.  In  the  narrow,  crooked 
thoroughfares  that  radiate  from  this  center,  one  meets  an  endless  procession  of 
wagons  loaded  with  ohlna  olay  in  barrels  or  in  huge  squares.  The  wagons  are  white, 
the  drivers  are  vdiite,  the  horses  are  white,  the  roads  are  Tdilte,  th*  river  is  white, 
and  the  long  freight-trains  are  irtiltei  Standing  on  a high  spot  you  can  see  glistening 
patches  of  olay  for  miles  around;  and  the  streams  that  flow  through  the  clay  fields  are 
milky  in  color,  and  vrtien  they  empty  into  the  ocean,  the  blue  water  becomes  white  too 
for  quite  a distance.  Most  of  the  ohlna  in  the  world  Is  made  of  Cornish  olay,  and  much 


- 16  - 


ootton  oloth  haa  China  clay  in  it.  When  the  olay  la  sprinkled  with  violet  or  roee  or 
jaamine,  it  is  used  by  women  to  powder  their  noaua. 

Although  the  wealth  of  Ophir  is  in  China  olay,  yet  I haven’t  hoard  that  it  has 
a fairy  of  its  own.  Mor  has  any  record  appeared  to  shonr  that  it  haa  been  blessed  by 
the  saints.  It  thrives  wholly  on  its  ooameroial  value.  As  Jaoob  supplanted  Esau, 
so  clay  has  si:5>planted  the  tin  and  copper  of  Cornwall.  Yet  the  mines  haven't 

been  deserted  by  their  nuggies.  Inhabitants  with  extra  aouto  hearing  have  heard  them 
working  on  their  silver  anvils,  and  bright  lights  are  sometimes  seen  dancing  round  the 
ruins  of  abandoned  mines.  People  able  to  interpret  these  signs  say  that  the  mines 
will  be  worked  again  some  day. 

How  we  wished  our  friends  could  have  boon  with  us  whoa  wo  visited  the  King  Arthur 
oountryi  You  would  have  dug  up  laaterial  enough.  Uncle  Walter,  to  fill  the  "Ziegler" 
for  months. 

We  followed  the  King  Arthur  trail  pretty  thoroughly.  His  tracks  are  to  be  found 

on  the  north  coast no  one  seens  to  have  heard  of  him  in  the  South.  The  anziiversary 

of  his  biirthday  is  still  celebrated  by  the  ringing  of  bells  under  the  sea,  between 
Bude  and  Bosoastlo,  where  Lyoneese,  the  submerged  part  of  Cornwall,  is  supposed  to  be. 
Polly  couldn't  hear  the  bells,  but  Teaoher  heard  them  sitting  in  the  automobile.  It 
didn't  occur  to  us  until  we  were  homeward  bound  that  it  wasn't  King  Arthur's  birthday 
at  all  I but  that  fact  didn't  disturb  Teacher  the  least  bit.  She  said  no  doubt  it  was 
a chime  of  church  bells  she  had  heard.  Polly  ollmbed  the  steps  leading  to  Tintagel 
which  wore  slippery  and  difficult.  They  thought  it  unvdlse  for  me  to  take  the  risk,  which 
is  truly  perilous,  I lUiderstand.  She  said  the  ruins  were  very  interesting.  Ifc  was 
at  the  foot  of  Tintagel  that  Wagner  laid  the  first  scene  of  "Tristan  and  Isolde".  You 
know  these  lovers  had  given  King  Arthur  a lot  of  trouble.  I guost  the  first  divorce 
trial  was  held  at  Tintagel.  The  King  tried  to  dissuade  Hark  from  holding  on  to  am 
unwilling  wife,  but  Hark  was  obstinate,  and  said  he  would  have  her  back.  Then  the 
King  tried  to  persuade  Tristan  to  give  up  Yseult,  (that  is  the  way  the  lady's  name 
is  spoiled  in  Cornish)  but  Tristan  said  love  was  above  law,  and  he  would  have  his  love. 


- 17  - 


King  Arthur  was  forced  to  pronounce  judgment.  He  tried  to  diwide  Tseult  between 
the  two  man  — his  order  was  that  she  should  stay  with  the  one  when  the  trees  were 
in  leaf  and  with  the  other  idien  the  trees  were  baure.  To  Uarlc  as  husband  he  gave 
the  first  ohoioe.  Mark  said  he  would  have  her  when  the  trees  were  bare,  and  to 
himself  he  said  that  once  he  got  the  hussy  home,  the  trees  would  ne-ver  be  in  leaf 
for  Tristan.  But  Ysoult  threw  herself  into  the  arms  of  her  sweetheart  said, 

"There  are  three  trees  of  constant  hue. 

The  ivy,  the  holly  and  the  yew| 

They  beaur  leaves  suamier  aind  winter} 

TristanJ  I am  thine  forever.” 

Tristaui  and  Yseult  set  the  court  a bad  exan^le  which  some  were  not  slow  to 
imitate.  If  Tennyson's  "Idylls  of  the  King"  is  still  fresh  in  yo\ir  memory,  you  will 
recall  that  Queen  Ouinevere,  or  Jenefer,  according  to  the  Cornish  spelling  which  I 
think  is  very  pretty,  fell  in  love  with  Imncelot,  one  of  the  twelve  Knights  of  the 
Round  Table.  The  King  was  a busy  mem,  you  know,  and  would  say  to  Lancelot,  "You 
look  after  the  Queen  today",  and  the  Queen  and  Lancelot  would  ride  away  together  to 
toiimaosents  or  to  the  hunt.  They  both  enjoyed  watching  the  young  nobles  play  the 
game  of  "h\trling".  This  game  is  still  played  at  St.  Coluab  and  other  places  in  the 
ootmtry.  The  origin  of  "hurling"  is  prehistoric.  Perhaps  it  was  introduced  by  the 
giants,  vdio  as  I have  said,  liked  to  fling  rooks  at  each  other.  The  trophy  is  a 
silver  ball.  It  is  thrown  into  the  air,  and  the  man  catching  it  rims  for  his  goal. 
When  he  thinks  the  other  team  is  likely  to  get  it  away  from  him,  he  "skies"  the  ball, 
as  they  say.  Another  lann  catches  it  and  is  off  with  the  whole  pack  of  players  after 
him.  He  is  soon  tripped  up  and  burled  beneath  a living  heap  of  players,  and  a 
struggle  ensues.  TIhile  the  heap  is  scrambling  to  its  feet  — that  is,  those  who  are 
alive  — - a cunning  chap  steals  away  the  ball  and  runs  with  it,  but  he  doesn't  get 
far  before  someone  catches  him  and  wrestles  with  him.for  it.  This  wrestling  match 
is  called  a Sorusu  The  Scrums  continue  from  goal  to  goal  until  "time"  is  called. 

When  it  is  all  over,  there  are  broken  bones,  dislocated  joints  and  scmetimes  dead 


18  - 


bodies  on  tha  field.  The  qualifloatione  of  a good  hurlor  are  "ability  to  run  like 
a hare,  hide  like  a rabbit,  leap  like  a kangaroo  and  ollid}  like  a monkey."  In 

addition,  he  must  be  able  to  "box  like  a pugilist,  yrrestle  like  a chanqpion  and  sky 

a ball  like  a orioketer. 

To  retium  to  Janefer  and  Lanoslot.  Tha  queen  fell  deeper  and  deeper  in  love, 
and  Lanoelot  learned  to  put  up  with  her  temper,  as  she  was  fair  to  look  upon.  She 

grew  weary  of  the  king,  and  used  to  go  into  a rage  whenever  she  heard  people 

praising  his  goodness.  "IVhat  oare  I how  good  he  be?"  she  would  wail  to  her  maids  in 
waiting,  "by  my  faith.  I oould  do  with  less  goodness  abroad  and  more  comfort  at  home." 
The  end  of  it  was  the  usual  scandal.  The  king's  eyes  were  opened  when  he  saw  a bit 
of  paper  tied  to  the  leg  of  a ohough  sind  read  its  contents.  A friend  had  slyly  taken 
this  method  of  telling  him  what  his  queen  was  to.  The  king  hastened  home  from  Wsdes. 
only  to  find  the  ohough  hopping  about  the  door  excitedly.  He  noticed  that  the  chough's 
beak  and  legs  were  stained  red.  and  that  he  left  drops  of  blood  wherever  he  stepped. 

The  king  soon  learned  that  his  faithful  bird  had  saved  his  life  by  slaying  Murdock 
In  his  sleep.  This  traitor  was  a friend  of  Lancelot's,  and  had  plotted  to  kill  the 
good  king  on  his  ret\im.  The  king  called  the  court  together  euid  knighted  the  ohough. 
From  that  day  to  this  the  ohough  family  have  had  red  beaks  and  legs.  ?Vhen  king 
Arthur  died,  his  soul  entered  Into  the  body  of  his  ohough.  and  whenever  he  visits 
Tintagel.  his  ancient  domain,  he  assinaes  the  form  of  a ohough.  That  Is  why  nobody  in 
Cornwall  would  kill  a ohough  until  the  incident  had  begun  to  fade  from  their  memory 
and  become  — a legend.  But  most  legends  have  their  origin  in  fact,  if  wo  oould  only 
trace  it.  This  legend  gained  credence  with  us  when  wo  couldn't  find  any  proper  burial 
place  for  King  Arthur,  although  we  searched  diligently  in  the  desolate  region  around 
Dosmary  Pool  and  Camolford.  People  looked  blank  when  wo  asked  them  where  the  king  was 
burled.  Via  explained  of  course  that  we  meant  King  Arthur,  and  not  King  George.  One 
very  old  man  said  he  hadn't  heard  of  a king  of  that  name  in  Cornwall  in  his  time.  At 
the  King  Arthur  Hotel,  which  is  only  a few  steps  from  Tintagel,  they  knew  about  tha 
Round  Table  and  the  Holy  Grail  and  the  King's  Punch-Bowl,  and  they  oven  have  a status  of 


- 19  - 


King  Arthur  in  armor,  but  they  couldn’t  tell  ua  whore  he  was  buried. 

Dozmary  Pool  muat  be  a fearaomo  apot  in  a ten^eat.  We  heard  that  the  cry  of  the 
aea-birda  during  a atorm  wae  enough  to  freeze  the  blood  in  a atrong  man' a Toina.  But  the 
day  we  were  there  the  atm  waa  warm  end  bright*  We  walked  along  the  ailent  moor  to 
the  Pool  and  touched  the  atill  water  among  the  feme  and  graaaea.  The  larka  were 
ainging,  and  I could  amell  the  length  and  breadth  and  the  sweep  of  the  moors*  If  you 
could  see  thie  lonoaome  region  with  your  own  eyes.  Uncle  Walter,  you  would  know  why 
Tennyson  selected  it  as  the  ideal  place  for  King  Arthur's  death,  and  you  would  aay  that 
King  Arthur  couldn't  have  found  a better  pool  into  which  to  throw  hia  sword  Excalibre* 

No  other  pool  would  hare  giren  the  proper  setting  for  the  mysterloua  apparition  of 
"the  arm  clothed  in  a rriiite  symite"  that  rose  ere  Exoalibre  sank  beneath  the  surface 
and  caught  it  by  the  hilt  and  brandished  it  three  times* 

Authorities  differ  in  Cornwall  as  elsewhere.  There  are  those  who  maintain  that 
Dozmary  Pool  is  bottcailesB,  and  others  who  assert  that  objects  thrown  into  it  are 
sucked  under,  and  re-appear  at  Sowey  Harbor,  many  miles  away*  Still  others  declare 
that  the  Pool  has  a bottom,  and  that  lost  souls  sit  on  it  and  msdce  ropes  of  sand.  1 
for  one  am  glad  that  Dozmary  Pool  hasn't  been  scientifically  catalogued,  it  is  much 
more  interesting  in  its  setting  of  mystery*  I am  aatisfied  that  it  is  real  water* 

I threw  some  pebbles  into  it,  and  Polly  said  that  they  started  ripples  as  pebbles 
should  in  real  wateri  and  Darkle  our  little  Scotty,  having  his  own  doubts,  put  his  paw 
into  the  pool.  Whan  ha  found  it  was  wet,  he  lapped  it  and  seemed  to  enjoyed  it*  The 
cows  and  sheep  feeding  on  the  downs  apparently  saw  nothing  unnatural  about  this  Pool, 
They  looked  vqp  at  us  with  mild  curiosity,  as  if  wondering  why  we  gaTO  it  such  special 
attention*  If  it  is  true  that  Tregeagle,  the  Faust  of  Cornwall,  sits  there  baling 
out  the  water,  he  must  be  as  invisible  to  the  animals  as  he  was  to  us. 

The  story  is  that  Tregeagle,  an  ambitious  youth,  sold  his  soul  to  Old  Artful  for 
the  privilege  of  living  in  palaces  and  enjoying  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world  without 
working  for  them*  When  his  contract  expired,  he  tried  to  escape  the  consequences  of 
his  act,  but  Old  Artful  caught  him  and  assigned  him  the  task  of  axiq)tying  the  Pool  with 


- 20  - 


a liB?)et  shell  that  has  a hole  in  it.  Whenever  Tregeagle  tries  to  run  away.  Old 
Artful  hounds  drive  him  baok  to  Do.-'.mary,  and  the  shrieks  of  that  unhappy  soul  may 
be  heard  echoing  iq>  and  down  the  moor.  This  has  given  rise  to  the  Coraish  saying, 

"to  roar  like  Tregeagle"  adien  retribution  overtakes  the  evil  door. 

You  will  be  glad,  Unole  Walter,  to  hear  that  there  are  reliable  witnesses  who 
soy  there  isn’t  ns  much  water  in  the  Pool  as  formerly,  which  permits  of  the  hope  that 
Old  Artful  may  be  outwitted  in  the  ooiarse  of  oentxiries.  It  is  too  dreadful  to 
believe  that  there  is  no  hope  at  all  for  those  who  foolishly  barter  away  their  souls 
for  the  husks  of  the  world. 

There  is  another  pool  legend  which  is  rather  interesting.  It  is  said  that  when 
Old  Artful  discovered  that  Wesley  was  isaking  msmy  converts,  thereby  weakening  his 
hold  on  the  West  covintry,  ho  took  advantage  of  a dark  stormy  night  and  demolished 
St.  Peter's  ohapel  which  stood  on  Chapel  Hill  at  Polperro.  When  this  Chapel  was 
reduced  to  ashes.  Old  Artfiil  began  to  dance  for  joy,  rotmd  and  round  his  felled 
work  he  jigged,  in  his  excitement  he  came  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  steepest  side  of 
the  hill  where  he  lost  his  foothold  — • or  to  be  more  aoc\irate  his  hoof-hold,  and  down 
the  sheer  cliff  he  rolled  and  landed  in  Chapel  Pool  with  a mighty  thud  idilch  oould  bo 
heard  all  over  the  neighborhood.  People  who  can  swim  under  deep  water  have  seen  the 
imprint  of  his  cloven  hoof  on  a big  rook  at  the  bottom  of  the  pool.  For  the  doubting 
Thomases  who  are  at  a loss  how  to  account  for  the  concave  appearances  of  Chapel  Hill, 
whioh  is  scooped  out  in  a remarkable  way.  Old  Artftil's  misadventtu'a  explains  it  most 
satisfactorily.  His  headlong  plunge  down  the  oliff  throw  great  masses  of  earth  and 
rook  which  rolled  with  him  into  the  sea.  I oan't  imderstand  why  some  people  look  for 
a haid  eitplanatlon  of  this  phenomenon  when  there  is  an  easy  one  at  hand. 

Plying,  motoring,  horseback  riding,  the  Prince  of  Wales  arrived  at  Padscowes 
today.  May  28th.  He  is  paying  his  tenantry  a throe  days  visit.  Cornwall  is  His 
Highness's  Duchy. 

Onoe  upon  a time  there  were  Cornish  kings,  just  as  there  wore  Cornish  giants 
and  a Cornish  language.  One  of  these  Cornish  kings,  finding  in  difficult  to  collect 
taxes,  and  seeing  that  unless  ho  seciured  outside  help,  he  must  go  under,  seised  the 


21 


trllliant  idea  of  making  Edward  the  Black  Prince,  who  had  diatinguiahed  himaelf  in 
the  Cruaadea,  a resident  of  Cornwall.  The  heir  to  the  Britiah  thrown  has  been  Duke 
of  Cornwall  oTror  ainoe,  and  the  Comiah  people  are  still  psiylng  him  the  ancient  tribute, 
by  which  hia  bank  aoooiuit  is  eonaiderably  augnented  each  year.  One  and  All  is  the 
motto  of  Cornwall.  At  present  Hie  Highness  seems  to  be  thfl  All.  In  the  old  days  Corn- 
wall was  All  — England  didn’t  count. 

May  29th.  This  morning  Looe  was  startled  by  the  ringing  of  the  bell.  Everyone 
ran  to  doors  and  windows  to  see  what  it  meant.  There  up  and  down  the  cliff  went  a 
man  and  the  bell.  Eveiry  few  steps  he  would  stop  and  shout  through  a megaphone,  "the 
Prince  of  Wales  will  fly  over  Looe  about  twelve-thirty."  Then  the  boll  began  again, 
and  the  man  climbed  higher  smd  higher,  shouting  his  news.  As  if  by  magic  the  cliffs 
and  rivers  and  the  quay  became  alive  with  people.  They  didn't  have  long  to  wait.  At 
twelve-thirty  sharp  the  nnnblo  of  the  royal  plane  was  heard  close  by.  "There  it  is," 
shouted  Polly  in  my  hand.  "It's  hovering  over  the  rlverl  It's  coming  lowerl  The 
people  are  waving  banners  and  hats  and  handkerchiefs  and  clapping  their  hands!  1 can 
see  the  Prince,  he  is  leaning  over  the  side  of  the  plane  and  waving  to  the  people. 

Now  the  plane  is  coming  still  lower  — it  is  almost  touching  the  water.  How  the 
Prince  can  be  seen  by  everybody.  A more  excited  spell  followed.  "Oh,  the  gulls  — 

how  they  are  flapping  their  wings  and  eoreamingJ  The  plane  must  have  frightened  them. 

Oh  look,  look,  they  are  rising  and  following  the  plana  out  to  the  harbor!  Now  it  la 
completely  hidden  from  view  by  their  wings  — they  are  like  snow  — like  the  snow 
storm!  Too  bad,  wo  haven’t  a motion  picture  camera  handy  to  preserve  this  magnificent 
apeotaole.  Truly,  it  is  a wonderful  sight.” 

Ws  had  hardly  stopped  talking  about  the  Prince  — his  graoiousnees,  his  pony  ride 
through  the  dark  moor,  his  good  nature  and  kindness  — when  wo  heard  that  a now  boat 
was  to  bs  launched  at  high  tide.  Just  when  Looe  looked  its  prettiest,  its  jade  water 
almost  as  high  as  the  stone  wall,  its  many  boats  riding  easily  and  anchored,  ready  to 

go  out  to  sea  as  soon  as  the  new  boat  was  in  the  water,  there  was  a great  stirr  on  the 

Quay.  "They  are  pushing  it  off,"  said  Teacher  excitedly.  One  of  the  men  said  it  was 
a sixteen  footer,  a "lug-and-miszen."  "Its  a beauty,  Helen,  painted  green  end  white," 


- 22  - 


T«aoh«r  spelled,  "It  belongs  to  a yovoig  fisherman,  " said  a man,  "It  Is  the  first 
boat  he  has  ever  owned,  Erery  owner  of  a boat  understands  his  feelings,  and  la 
glad  with  him"  "How  the  Quay  is  blaolc  with  people.  There  seams  to  be  some 
difficulty  about  getting  her  off,  the  men  In  the  other  boats  are  shouting  direotiona. 

The  people  couldn't  be  more  interested  If  it  were  an  ocean  liner.  Still  she  refuses 
to  take  the  water.  Its  si^iper  time,  but  the  people  will  not  go  home.  Oh  look!  she 
has  leaped  into  the  water!  the  people  are  shouting  and  clapping  their  hands,  Erery- 
one  Is  gazing  sifter  her,  commenting  on  her  good  points  and  wishing  her  good  luck. 

There  she  goes  gliding  through  the  water  like  a swani"  I wish  you  could  have  seen 
her.  Uncle  Walter,  There  is  nothing  more  thrilling,  I think,  than  the  launching  of 
a new  boat, 

June  6th.  I have  Just  had  another  delightful  esqperienoe.  We  were  on  our  way  to 
Carlyon  Bay  Hotel  where  we  had  been  invited  to  dinner.  Ovr  friends  told  us  we  would 
pass  an  estate  where  there  was  a great  herd  of  doer,  and  wo  might  stop,  he  said,  to 
get  a glimpse  of  them.  We  got  out  at  ozte  of  the  gates,  (The  park  was  close  to  the 
road.)  Ho  one  was  in  sight.  Wo  opened  it  softly  and  entered.  The  deer  wore  lying 

downi  but  they  heard  us  and  stood  hundreds  of  them.  Can  you  imagine,  Ihiole 

Walter  — hundreds  of  deeri  Polly  could  sec  that  their  heads  were  turned  in  our 
direction,  but  she  thought  they  couldn't  see  us  in  the  deep  shade  of  the  beeches. 

But  they  must  have  scented  something  unusual | for  they  ran  away  into  the  woods.  We 
stood  spellbound,  it  was  a wonderful  e ’/enlng  full  of  June  odors.  The  whole  country 
seemed  snowed  under  billows  of  hawthorn  blooms.  The  trees  were  alive  with  a thousand 
birds.  We  kept  very  quiet,  and  they  soon  forgot  our  presence  and  burst  into  their 
evening  chorus.  It  was  overwhelmlngj  W©  hold  each  others*  hands  and  scarcely  breathed. 
We  had  never  seen  such  a marvelous  grove  of  trees  — - perfect  in  form,  each  tree  having 
all  the  space  required  to  grow  in  ~ and  we  had  never  heard  such  a bird  orchestra, 

Polly  said  she  didn't  know  the  name  of  half  of  them}  but  larks,  blackbirds  and  thrushes 
outnuBibored  the  other  kinds.  Surely,  it  was  in  such  a grove  of  green  that  ?san 
conceived  the  first  tsnqile  of  worship.  It  didn't  require  a great  stretch  of  imagaination 


- 25 


to  subatitirto  for  the  noble  trunks  of  greet  trees  asisslve  stone  oolumns,  end  steined 
glees  windows  soist  lievo  been  suggested  by  the  petohos  of  blue  sky,  rose  exid  gold  glints 
through  the  delloete  treoory  of  the  Ise-ves*  And  what  is  the  heevsnly  ohoir  but  ec 
laitetion  of  the  noming  end  evening  song  of  birds* 

Polly  had  seen  e ouokooiil  We  were  speeding  through  one  of  tho  narrow  lanes  out 
of  Landreth  wlien  a ouokoo  flew  In  froct  of  the  oar*  He  had  ventured  out  of  his  hiding 
place  for  an  airing,  and  tho  oar  oame  upon  him  so  suddenly  that  he  was  oonfused.  He 
flaw  along  tho  hedge  trying  to  find  oover,  e:qposing  himself  to  our  greedy  eyes  for  a 
few  seconds,  1 didn't  know  the  ouokoo  was  suoh  a large  bird,  Polly  said  the  spread 
of  his  wings  must  have  been  twelve  inolxes.  He  wae  brown  in  oolor,  and  i^parestly  he 
oouldn't  fly  hi^  or  he  would  have  got  away  more  quiekly. 

One  of  the  oountless  pleasant  things  about  rural  life  on  this  Islond  is  ths 
friendliness  of  the  birds  and  the  love  for  thsm  shown  by  everyone.  We  havo  talked 
more  about  birds  here  in  two  months  than  In  all  of  our  lives  before,  Kven  the  neirs^ 
papers  give  them  muoli  space.  Their  oosilngs  and  goings  are  recorded  as  faithfully  as 
the  Journeys  of  the  king  and  queen*  The  orowa,  r^oke,  and  other  largo  birds  oome  close 
to  the  dwellings,  and  alight  on  trees  and  hedges  where  the  small ar  birds  have  their 
neste  without  diaturbing  the  wee  ones  in  the  least,  ^<hen  we  pionlo,  ths  birds  don't 
fly  away,  Xhoy  sit  on  the  bushes  near  us,  and  soaotiaea  alight  on  ths  table  cloth. 

The  thrushea,  sparrows,  finohes,  robins,  and  even  the  Jenny  wren  seem  to  like  human 
food.  Between  twitters  and  ohirps  and  trills  they  eye  our  oakas  from  every  point  of 
view,  and  never  fail  to  piok  up  orumbs  that  fall  conveniently  within  their  reach. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  trlp<;  to  take  is  to  Land's  2nd,  where  you  see  the 
ooast  at  its  roughest.  You  oan't  look  upon  tho  dark  serpentine  rocks  bristling  with 
sharp  points  and  menacing  reefs  without  oonjuring  shipwrecks  and  deeds  of  "dorrin- 
do*  for  the  saving  of  life  in  to&pests  when  men  wrostle  with  every  kind  of  destruction 
One  of  the  wildest  looking  rooks  is  oalled  Hell's  Mouth  because  it  sucks  in  everything 
that  ventures  too  near  it.  One  of  the  principal  lighthouses  is  only  a stone's  throw 
aorosa  from  the  land's  Knd  Hotel,  Yet  the  lighthouse  keeper  must  take  in  provisions  for 
eix  months  beoauae  in  rough  woatlier  tit#  terrific  churning  of  the  sea  will  shatter  any 


- 24  - 


boat  foolhardy  onough  to  bravo  it. 

Penzanoe  and  St.  Ivos  are  on  opposite  sides  of  the  peninsula.  They  are  both 
famous  in  song  and  tale.  If  one  knows  the  lang\iage  of  stones  and  monisoents.  one  can  read 
muoh  history  in  those  of  St.  Ives  and  Penxanoe.  They  reoord  events  dating  back  to 
times  before  the  Druids  used  them  for  n^stlo  rites. 

Sir  Hix^hrey  Davy  was  bom  at  Penzanoe.  He  is  the  patron  saint  of  the  miners  and 
in  their  prayers  they  ask  God  to  reward  him  for  placing  in  their  caps  the  little  lamp 
that  lights  them  to  do  their  work  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth  and  brings  them  safely  home. 

It  was  a wtanan  who  founded  St.  Ives,  and  some  of  her  piety  is  said  to  linger 
about  the  town.  There  sure  many  stories  and  rhymes  about  her.  Tou  probably  remember 
the  rhyme  about  her  oat  which  begins  ”As  I was  going  to  St.  Ives."  All  kinds  of  oats 
are  still  to  be  seen  in  the  narrow  streets  of  St.  Ives,  they  doze  in  comers  and  door- 
ways and  stretoh  at  full  length  across  the  road,  and  the  neighbors  Bupeot  strangers  to 
treat  them  with  respect.  Each  fishensan  has  his  oat.  and  each  oat  has  his  fisherman. 

Hhen  the  boats  return  with  their  catch,  all  of  the  oats  make  a beeline  for  the  quay. 

Each  oat  knows  its  own  boat  and  waits  for  it. 

Speaking  of  oats,  you  should  see  the  dogs  of  Cornwall.  They  say  there  are  three 
million  dogs  in  BritainJ  Half  of  them  must  live  here,  the  villages  are  alive  with  them  - 
Spaniels,  airedales.  terriers,  sheep  dogs,  hounds,  great  Danes.  St.  Bernards,  wire 

haired  terriers  — every  kind  you  can  think  of all  unmuzzled,  all  unleashed,  free 

and  happy.  Tou  often  see  them  on  the  wharfs,  jsonarch  of  all  they  behold  and  more 
beyond  and  athwart.  I have  mentioned  our  valiant  Scotty  which  Polly  brought  back  from 
Scotland.  He  is  coal  black,  and  it  is  a picture  to  see  him  sitting  on  a cushion  of 
daisies,  buttercups  and  ferns.  Sometimes  we  can't  see  him  for  the  flowers. 

The  Lizard  Coast  which  was  once  the  center  of  smuggling,  is  now  the  nows  center  of 
the  world.  The  tidings  of  all  lands  are  poured  out  there  from  the  ocean  cables.  There 
is  a Marconi  Station  which  picks  up  the  news  of  war  and  peace,  success  and  failiure.  hope 
and  despair.  One  comes  upon  signs  admonishing  people  — not-to-tanq>er-wlth-the-oables. 
Thus  the  Lizard  becomes  the  world's  tongue  and  ear  and  eye.  It  is  interesting  to  note 


- 26 


that  before  the  day  of  cables  and  wireless,  the  Llsard  and  other  headlands  on  the 
Cornish  Coast  were  used  as  points  from  whioh  warnings  were  sent  out  when  danger  of  any 
kind  threatened*  A fire  was  kindled  on  St*  Michael's  Mount  and  the  watchers  along 
the  Coast  took  19  the  message  and  flashed  it  through  the  night  from  headland  to  headland 
until  it  reached  the  British  Admiralty*  Very  little  time  was  lost  even  in  the  old 
days  irtisn  there  was  anythizig  to  tell* 

As  we  are  keeping  very  quiet  in  Cornwall,  not  wishing  anyone  to  know  we  are  here, 
we  haven't  had  many  opportunities  to  visit  the  great  estates}  but  we  have  seen  three 
very  large  ones*  It  is  hard  to  believe  that  a single  family  can  own  so  much  land  be« 
side  the  villages*  The  entrances  to  the  estates  are  almost  always  beautiful  with 
massive  gates  and  pretty  lodges,  usually  covered  with  ivy  and  roses*  Seme  of  the  estates 
have  their  own  ohxirohes  for  the  tenants  and  schools  for  the  children*  Sometimes  people 
wishing  to  see  the  parks  take  advantage  of  an  old  custom  which  made  the  ohtiroh  a 
sanctuary  for  anyone  who  took  shelter  within  its  precincts*  They  visit  the  church  and 
afterwards  drive  about  until  they  are  stopped,  when  they  pretend  that  they  have  lost 
their  way*  A freind  of  ours  took  some  visitors  into  the  church  on  a certain  estate 
recently*  They  begged  him  to  drive  them  to  a gate  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  park* 

On  the  way  they  met  the  squire  and  hie  lady  who  were  strolling  on  their  domain*  "What 
are  you  doing  here?"  the  squire  asked,  "Do  you  know  you  sure  trespassing?"  Mr*  — 
replied  that  he  had  taken  some  friends  to  see  the  church,  and  got  lost*  "Since  you 
are  lost,"  said  the  squire,  "I  will  take  you  to  the  nearest  exit*" 

We  were  more  fortunate.  Wo  received  an  invitation  from  the  kind  mistress  of 
Morval  to  visit  her  gardens  and  have  tea.  How  beautiful  the  grounds  weroJ  The  rhodod- 
endrons were  in  bloom  and,  Dnole  Walter,  there  were  trees  two  hundred  years  oldl  They 
arch  a long,  delightful  walk,  their  tx^unks  ten  and  twelve  inches  in  circumference* 

Much  to  my  surprise  I found  magnolia-trees  as  large  as  those  whioh  grow  in  Alabama 
and  a splendid  specimen  of  ihe  siimosa*  There  were  also  palms  and  Japonioa-trees  as 
magnificent  as  those  in  the  gardens  of  Louisiana* 

Part  of  the  mansion  dates  back  to  the  Fourteenth  Centxury*  The  part  where  the 


26  - 


family  liT«8  is  Elisabethan,  very  stately  »rlth  wide  halls*  lofty  stone  arohes,  huge 
fire-plaoes  with  beautifully  oarved  mantelpieces,  very  large  windows  with  diamond- 
shaped  panes  and  sills  deep  enough  to  sleep  on.  The  massive  oak  stair-case  is  hand- 
somely panelled.  I couldn't  span  the  posts  with  my  two  arms.  We  went  up  to  the 
tower  idiere  the  bedrooms  had  double  oak  doors.  In  a stone  alcove  our  hostess  showed 
us  i^ere  a family  of  swallows  had  built  their  nest  for  many  years.  She  takes  much 
interest  in  the  upbringing  of  the  fledglings  and  listens  with  loving  pleasure  to  their 
first  twittering  notes.  The  ballroom  is  lovely.  We  had  tea  in  the  library,  the  walls 
of  iriiioh  are  covered  with  portraits  of  the  family  painted  by  old  masters.  In  that 
great  house  live  three  persons,  two  sisters  and  a brother.  The  faaiily  is  one  of  the 
oldest  in  Cornwall. 

In  Cornwall  it  is  quite  the  thing  to  train  fruit  trees  to  grow  against  the  wall 
after  the  manner  of  vines.  I wonder  if  the  Romans  introduced  that  method.  I remeniber 
that  Horace  speaks  of  "the  peaches  ripening  on  a sun-warmed  wall.”  I saw  pears,  plums, 
apricots,  quinces,  and  of  course,  grapes  growing  on  the  garden  wall*  I saw  apple-trees 
which  looked  as  if  they  wore  the  first  trees  planted  after  the  flood.  They  were  about 
my  height,  they  had  bean  grown  to  look  like  stags  with  branching  antlers.  Very 
fantastic  I can  tell  you.  I could  easily  reach  every  apple.  They  say  that  trees  kept 
low  bear  best  and  last  longest,  as  their  energy  is  conserved.  In  one  place  I saw  a 
wall  ten  feet  high  cosq>letely  covered  with  geraniums*  Teacher  said  it  looked  like  a 
scarlet  velvet  portiere* 

At  the  entrance  to  Uorval  driveway,  there  is  a reedy  pond  where  ducks  and  swans 
breed.  We  noticed  one  swan  sitting  on  her  nest.  She  watched  us  suspiciously,  and  when 
we  came  too  near,  she  ruffled  tip  her  lovely  white  neck  feathers  until  she  looked, 
Teaoher  said,  like  Queen  Elisabeth*  How  she  has  six  swanlings*  It  is  a pretty  sight 
to  see  the  parent  birds  with  the  little  ones  between  them  teaching  them  to  float. 

We  are  so  enthralled  with  the  attractions  of  Cornwall,  we  seldom  go  o\rt  of  lt| 
but  occasionally  we  do  drive  to  Plymouth  and  Dartmoor  vdiich  are  in  Devon.  Dartmoor 
gives  me  a strange  feeling  of  illimitableness  and  solitude.  This  isqpression  is  in- 


- 27  - 


tanaifiad  -when  w«  pass  near  the  prison  settlement  a group  of  grey  stone 

buildings  surro\mded  by  a masalTO  granite  wall* 

One  day  Polly  and  1 got  out  of  the  oar  to  walk  aoross  the  downs*  The  sun 
was  shining  irtien  we  started,  but  when  we  had  gone  twenty  steps,  it  began  to  rain* 

The  wind  howled  and  nearly  shuffled  us  off  ovir  feet*  Polly  thought  I sho\ild  be  blown 
down  and  perhaps  traiq>led  \;qpon  by  the  wild  ponies  that  were  racing  up  and  down  the 
heather-ooTored  hillocks*  I knew  Polly  was  alarmed  by  the  way  she  olutohed  lay  am  and 
held  on  to  me*  These  ponies  oan  be  bought  for  fifty  or  seventy-fiTe  cents*  I wish 
I could  bring  one  home  to  play  with  Helga*  The  little  oolts  are  -very  pretty  and 
gentle*  They  gandiol  with  the  blaok>faoed  lambs*  Neither  of  them  fear  man,  and  they 
come  -to  the  edge  of  the  downs  and  gase  curiously  at  the  automobiles  as  they  whle  by* 

Roman  walls  are  still  s-tanding  in  almost  perfect  preserration  on  some  parts  of 
Dartmoor*  Nhat  in  the  world  were  these  walls  built  forT  Do  you  suppose.  Uncle  Walter, 
the  Romans  sent  their  legions  to  keep  other  people  from  carrying  off  the  Cornish  tlnT 
Certainly,  they  were  trying  to  keep  something  for  themsel-ves*  Walls  always  mean  that* 

Our  -visit  to  Cornwall  -was  pro-videntlally  at  the  right  time*  In  the  first  place, 

-we  ha-ve  had  it  all  to  oursel-ves*  There  may  be  a few  -visitors  at  the  Bodrigan  week- 
ends and  holidsys)  btsb  we  ha-ve  escaped  the  crowds  of  summer  tourists  who  swam  into 
the  west  country  in  July  and  August* 

Besides,  Cornwall  looks  its  prettiest  in  the  spring*  Ccmiing  as  we  did  the  middle 
of  April,  we  ha-ve  watched  the  OTirved  hills  growing  greener  e-very  minute  and  the 
procession  of  flowers  passing  along  the  lanes  — the  -violets  and  prii^oses,  the  cows- 
lips, daisies  and  bu-ttero\;^s,  the  gorse,  the  ohes-tnut  tress  lighting  their  myriad 
candles,  the  fall  of  the  hawthorn  petals,  the  broom  and  wisteria  draping  the  hedges 
with  purple  and  gold,  the  coming  of  the  wild  roses,  foxglo-ves  and  blue-flags,  the 
wild  hyaolnths  -wea-ving  tapestries  of  blue  in  the  woods*  We  ha-ve  smelt  the  -vital  sap 
coursing  through  tree  and  bush,  we  ha-ve  listened  to  the  gossip  of  birds*  Tee,  every 
io^ression  is  moot  -vi-vld,  in  the  springtimej  for  Cfod  walks  nearest  earth  then*  When 
I leave  Cornwall,  I shall  take  her  darling  ri-vers  away  with  me,  Loos,  Fal,  Camel,  Fowey, 


- 38  - 


and  In  njr  thoughte  th®y  shall  e-ver  flow  past  onohantlng  -vUlages*  ruined  oastles,  little 
Inns  and  ohurolies  and  fishing-boats  gliding  up  and  down  In  sunshine  and  starlight* 

I hope  I haven't  bored  you,  Unole  Walter*  That's  the  unpardonable  sin  in  a 
letter,  they  say*  I know  it's  far  too  long,  but  that  fault  you  will  forgive.  I have 
tried  to  give  you  soma  idea  of  Corawall  and  our  delight  in  it*  Parts  I have  hsid  to 
write  over  sdien  the  ribbon  got  holes  in  it*  No  doubt  I have  repeated  myself,  and 
Bometi  -es  lost  the  thread  of  my  discourse*  Very  likely  I have  confused  the  scent 
of  the  rose  and  the  song  of  the  nightingale*  I have  been  writing  it  for  a month  — 
between  walks,  drives  and  picnics,  at  different  times  and  in  different  moments,  on 
different  typewriters  and  paper!  But  I send  the  letter  as  it  is,  knowing  you  will 
bo  charitable,  and  overlook  the  faults  incident  to  an  eager  outpouring  of  holiday 
experiences*  Anyway,  I warned  you  at  the  beginning,  xdiich  lets  me  sleep  on  an 
easy  pillow* 

We  three  send  you  our  love,  and  hope  all  is  well  with  you,  and  that  you  are 
enjoying  "No  Caro  and  your  flowers* " 

Yours  affectionately. 


Helen  Keller 


The  Miracle-worker 
Notes  and  Corrections.  B 

Page  1.  The  educated  Southerners  I knew  were  careful  of  their  English, 
and  the  Doctor  was  one  of  them.  Hj  would  not  say  "She'll  live"  but  "She  -will 
live.  You  are  lucky.  I tell  you  now,  I thought  she  would  not." 

" Tom"  No  one  would  think  of  addressing  the  old,  dignified  Dr.  as  Tom. 

Everybody  called  him  Doctor  or  Sir.  He  would  also  say,rn  " She  has  the  consti- 
tution of  a goat,  and  will  outlive  us  all"  etc 

father  never  said  "rig"  but  "buggy"  or  wagon." 

The  Doctor  would  say,  "The  main  thing  is,  the  fever  is  gone.  I've  never  seen 
a baby  with  more  vitality,  that  is  the  truth."  The  trouble  is  that  too  many 
words  are  elided,  v.'hich  gives  an  impression  of  careless  speaking. 

Somewhere  on  page  2 Helen  is  said  to  be  seven  instead  of  six  and  half  years  old. 

About  the  miodle  of  page  three,  hx  aiint's  name  was  §velyn,  not  Cora. 

I-ty  mother  never  addressed  father  as  Arthur,  but  always  as  Captain 

About  the  end  of  page  3.  James,  in  spite  of  his  bad  manners,  would  never 
call  my  father  "Arthur.  Nor  would  he  call  my  mother  Kate 

The  same  page,  I think.  Aunt  Ev  would  say,  "What  does  the  child  want?  " 

Somewhere  about  page  five.  Teacher's  hair  was  not  "short"  or  "Towsled." 

It  was  long,  and  well  brushed  and  neatly  arranged  in  the  old-fashioned  manner 
of  that  day. 


2 


Axx  About  the  end  of  pege  5 occur  the  words,  "There  is  a certain  crudeness  , 
an  unladylike  vitality  to  her."  A n vinconventional  vitality  is  the  exx  accurate 
expre  sion. 

As  to  her  "second  generation  of  an  Echo"  of  a brogue,  I have  always  been 
told  that  she  had  a pleasant,  natural  speaking  voice. 

I guess  the  first  part  of  page  6.  There  occur  the  words,  "In  this  box,  a 
gift.  From  Mrs.  Anagnos  and  me,  with  our  love."  The  fact  is,  Mrs.  Anagnos 
was  dead. 

About  page  7.  Teacher  had  no  suit-case,  but  a bag  that  vras  called  a grip. 

On  what  I guess  is  the  first  of  page  8 A nnie  says  to  James,  "I  had  a 
brother,  Jimmie."  Annie  as  I knew  her  would  never  refer  to  the  deepest  sorrow 
of  her  life  to  strangers. 

■‘•'hrough  page  10  I would  suggest  that  teacher's  account  of  the  bag  be  used 
where  she  says,  Helen  "felt  my  face  and  dress  and  i^y  bag,  which  she  out  oi'  my  hand 
and  triad  to  open. . It  did  not  open  easily,  and  the  felt  carefully  to  see  df 
there  was  a keyhole,  etc,  etc"  The  bug  was  light,  and  besides,  the  doll  was 
in  the  trunk.  Thousands  of  children  have  ?ead  this  story. 

Teacher's  retort  on  Page  eleven  is  very  good,  just  like  her,  "Monks  under  a 
vow  — of  silence,  which  I wish  you  would  take  — 2 

o£, 

but  I object  to  James  stupid  joke  and  also  to  A nie's  angry  words,  "Oj,  get  out 
of  here  you 2""  because  she  never  talked  like  that,  ■^he  'was  often  terri- 

bly provoked,  but  she  .as  as  particular  about  her  English  as  a treasure. 

On  page  13  T object  to  Teacher's  use  of  "honest."  She  would  say,  "Captain 


3 


Ke’lar,  really  and  truly  I am  capable  of  going  dov,Ti  a laader  myself." 

About  the  end  of  page  14  Te  cher  says,  "I  know  a spoiled  brat's  tantrum  when 
I see  one!  She  would  never  talk  like  that  to  my  mother.  Those  words  had 
better  be  left  out  There  is  still  too  much  elision  of  words. 

About  page  twenty.  There  occur  the  words,  " She  grins."  Teacher  never 
grinned,  no  matter  what  audacious  step  she  might  take,  she  wore  a sad  but 
defiant  smile. 

Some  lines  further  are  the  words,  "I  don't  want  her  for  Keeps."  Teacher 
did  not  use  that  expression.  She  would  have  said,  "I  don't  want  her  to  k=;ep, 
but  to  discipline  her." 

The  end  of  page  twenty  or  the  beginning  of  page  twenty-one.  Teacher  would 
not  say,  "Vhat's  that  mean,"  but  "\'/hat  does  that  mean?" 

About  the  end  of  page  twenty-four.  Teacher  would  not  sa  y "Pinky  dovm," 
but  thumb  down. 

On  what  I guers  is  page  t enty-five.  "Annie  at  the  desk.  A thick  dictionary 
open  before  her."  I remember  the  dictionary,  which  was  nuite  small,  and  which 
Teacher  said  was  red. 

About  the  end  of  page  twenty-five.  Teacher  would  not  say  " She's  le  med," 
but  "She  has  learned  two  nouns  since  yesterday." 


I fccn  proud  to  '.•.'elcor’s  you  who  have  ^athsc-ed  here  today  to  seek 
out  more  effective  ways  of  preparing  the  blind  to  becoTie  active 
and  respected  rnembers  of  normal  society,  'fie  must  untangle  our- 
selves from  the  conflicts  and  problems  inherited  from  the  past. 
Blind  and  seeing  alike,  we  must  be  welded  into  one  united 
community  and  all  over  the  world  we  must  v/ork  together  to  build 
the  new  civilization  which  v'e  have  glimpsed  from  time  to  time 
in  radiant  flashes. 

'■Voman ' s chief  task  is  to  bring  p'lace  l3tto  the  world  into  which 
her  children  must  be  born.  This  is  nan's  chief  task  as  w'ell-- 
the  chief  task  of  us  all,  whover  vie  are  and  wherever  vre  are. 


HELEN  KELLER'S  SPEECH  FOR  TELEVISION 

(as  prepared  by  the  AFB 
froraH.K's.  own  material) 

How  proud  I am  to  welcome  all  of  you  who  have  assembled  here  today.  '"With 

humility  and  joy  I commend  the  high  spirit  of  resolve  and  dedication  that 
l.« 

has  brought  you  from  the  far  reaches  of  this  great  land  and  the  distant 
corners  of  the  earth  to  prepare  yourselves  for  lives  of  service  to  your 
fellows  who  must  live  widiout  sight,  I know  how  eagerly  you  will  join 
together  in  exchanging  ideas  and  viewpoints  at  this  Seminar  to  determine 
the  most  effective  means  of  assisting  the  blind  to  achieve  their  richest 
capacity  as  active  ar d respected  members  of  normal  society.  How  appropriate 
it  is,  therefore,  that  through  the  medium  of  television  your  high  piirpose 
can  be  made  known>^to  those  among  whom  the  blind  will  live  throughout 
America, 

Just  as  the  blind  and  seeing  must  be  welded  into  one  united  community,  so 
must  all  the  nations  of  the  world  strive  to  combine  their  efforts  for  the 
good  of  all  mankind.  The  peoples  of  the  earth  are  still  much  entangled 
in  the  conflicts  and  problems  they  have  inherited  from  the  past.  But  they 
have  longings,  ideas  and  glimpses  of  the  slowly  rising  sun  of  brotherhood. 
When  this  spirit  once  shines  forth  in  all  its  radiance,  we  shall  behold  in- 
deed a convenant  among  the  nations,  a system  based  on  voluntary  association 
and  not  force,  a light  unto  the  blind.  Then  shall  man  be  brought  by  a way 
he  knew  not,  free  himself  from  ignorance  and  share  the  wonders  of  that  new 
and  glorious  civilization. 


HELEN  KELLER'S  TELEVISION  REMARKS 


Warmly  I welcome  you  all  who  are  assembled  here  today. 

I commend  the  spirit  in  which  you  have  come  from  America  and  other  lands 
to  this  seminar  to  determine  the  best  means  of  educating  the  blind.  It 
is  fitting  that  television  should  be  the  medium  to  communicate  your  high 
purpose. 

Just  as  the  blind  and  the  seeing  shoiild  act  as  a united 
community,  all  nations  must  strive  to  use  their  efforts  for  the  good  of 
mankind.  When  that  spirit  shines  forth  in  all  its  radiance,  man  will 
free  himself  from  ignorance  and  share  the  wonders  of  that  new  civilization. 


GARRCWAY; 

Will  you  please  ask  Helen  what  she  thinks  is  the  most  imoortant 
thing  in  the  life  of  a woman  today? 

POLLY  THOMSON: 

Yes,  I will; 

(The  following  written  by  Helen  Keller,  may  be  her  reply) 

Since  woman  is  the  creator  of  the  human  race  her  chief  task  should 
be  to  bring  peace  to  the  world  into  which  her  children  must  be  born 
too  often  she  is  educated  for  war,  not  peace. 


Canada 


V'?  *»'  '1 

salute 

There  is  a glow  of  happiness  in  iny  soul  as  I *nya/a»i>  you.  ’.-.ith 

A. 

deep  emotion  I remember  my  former  visits  to  Canada  with  my  teacher 
Anne  Sullivan  Kacy  and  with  Folly  Thomson  and  how  moved  I was  by 
the  affectionate  good-will  with  which  we  were  welcomed  on  each 
occasion.  Now  I am  thrilled  by  the  new  buildings  of  the  Canadian 
National  Institute  for  the  Blind  and  the  Library  and  the  splendid 
advance  they  represent. 

This  morning  I was  honored  to  Join  the  home  teachers  of  Canada  at 
their  annual  Conference.  My  admiration  of  home  teachers  has  always 
been  profound.  Patiently  they  travel  from  place  to  place  bringing 
comfort  and  chheri  turning  doubts  into  constructive  faith,  typifying 
the  spirit  of  cooperation  which  is  essential  to  the  maintenance  of 
services  for  the  blind.  In  all  the  efforts  on  behalf  of  Canada's 
sightless  I find  men  and  women,  blind  and  seeing,  working  together  ta 
equal  partners  in  a great  humanitarian  enterprise,  I heartily  commend 
you  for  the  example  you  are  giving  to  those  who  seek  to  aid  the 
blind  throughout  the  world. 

Yes,  Canada's  program  for  the  blind,  so  full  of  ideas  and  daring, 
gladdens  me  as  a symbol  of  high  resolve.  Valiantly  you  have  pioneered 
to  gain  public  acknowledgement  of  the  right  of  the  handicapped 
person  to  assume  an  honored  role  in  the  community  and  you  are  still 
using  every  method  to  increase  the  understanding  of  your  problems 
as  you  initiate  programs  and  push  forward  vocations!  and  social 
adjustment.  Through  the  dedication  of  your  labors  and  the  ingenuity 
of  your  thoughts  and  actions  you  are  hastening  the  glorious  day 
when  every  handicapped  person  shall  find  a luminous  place  in 
society . 


Conada 


M K 


5 

Tew.  S i d*x-d-iLpf-o 


Truly  I am  proud  that  you  have  Invited  me  to  this  Conference. 

It  Is  always  a privilege  to  be  with  people  who  dedicate  themselves’ 
to  the  welfare  of  others,  and  I have  a special  tenderness  for  you, 
Canadian  Home  Teachers.  There  Is  something  about  your  zest  and 
enthusiasm  which  refreshes  my  soul.  How  alive  you  are  to  the  social 
rights  and  the  economic  possibilities  of  the  blind*.  Joyously  I 
note  that  your  hearts  and  minds  will  now  t-  rn  to  the  dwellers  In 
the  silent  night,  to  the  vital  program  of  training  and  assistance 
for  these  my  deaf-blind  colleagues  across  the  length  and  breadth  of 
your  great  Dominion, 

Soon  your  attention  will  be  drawn  to  another  group — the  aging 
blind.  As  you  know,  many  of  their,  still  have  the  minds,  desires,  and 
ambitions  of  adult  years,  and  one  of  your  tasks  will  be  tp  find 
ways  to  meet  their  need  of  economic  support,  health,  maintenance 
and  rehabilitation  through  special  training  that  will  mean  long  range 
planning  to  help  them  through  sheltered  workshops  and  Industrial 
home  work. 

Then,  too,  many  so-called  "blind,"  even  among  the  aging,  ere 
just  people  who  suffer  from  eye  trouble  that  can  be  cured  or 
ameliorated.  You  will  see  that  everything  possible  Is  done  for  them 
In  medical  care. 

Bravely  you  are  facing  the  daily  problems  that  form  part  of 
the  glorious  profession  to  which  you  have  been  called  and  In  your 
fine  accompllafcents  home  teaching  Is  rising  to  Its  full  glory 
and  serving  as  an  example  to  all  who  seek  to  aid  the  handicapped. 


Jo  Davioson 

6.  RUE  LECONTE-DE-LISUE 
PARIS  XVI'-TEL.AUTEUIL  55-26 


June  23,  1950- 

yella  dear,. 

YOU  have  been  constantly  in  my  thou^'hts  --  and 
Polly's  too  --  since  we  sailed  for  i^rance  last  yarch, 
and  your  letters  have  gladdened  us  with  "airs  from  home." 
3ut  you  know  how  difficult  it  is  to  write  amid  the  de- 
lights of  travel  and  the  fascination  of  places  one  visits 
in  the  old  world.  The  impressions  which  have  flooded 
my  mind  the  past  months  will  require  time  for  me  to  col- 
lect and  put  into  definite  form.  i must  content  myself 
with  telling  you  of  the  happenings  that  have  crowded 
upon  us  since  v/e  came  to  paris. 

we  have  had  a wonder- filled  visit  with  jo  and  Flo- 
rence v/ho  know  and  love  prance  a,s  their  second  home. 
Through  their  interest  and  solicitude  to  show  us  the 
best,  I have  ^alned  a new  idea  not  only  of  the  intellec- 
tual life,  romance  and  beauty  of  Paris,  but  also  a real 
warmth  in  my  heart  for  the  people.  jo  has  taken  us  to 
delectable  cafes  associated  with  his  and  Florence's  stu- 
dent days.  He  has  introduced  me  to  the  open-air  markets, 
the  parks  and  little  circuses  in  almost  every  section  of 
Paris  where  the  children  play.  He  has  put  my  hand  on  old 
buildings  with  narrow  windov/- panes  and  the  eight  rows  of 


Jo  Davidson 

e,HUe  LECONTE-DE-LISLE 
PARIS  XVI  *_  TEL!  AUTEUI  L 55-26 


horsechestnut-trees  along  the  ohamps-Elysees.  one  day 
we  lunched  at  the  Eiffel  Tower,  v;here  we  had  an  over- 
powering view  of  the  city,  the  =;eine  and  the  suburbs. 
Also  we  have  been  to  the  superb  forest  of  Fontainebleau 
and  Ft.  oermain,  where  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men 
and  v/omen,  children  and  dogs  make  holiday  In  a truly  de- 
mocratic spirit.  YOU  see  what  beautiful  hospitality  jo 
and  Florence  shower  upon  us,  and  hov/  they  are  always 
planning  for  our  pleasure. 

Beside  t_.olng  places,  they  have  given  teas  and  recep 
tlons  where  we  met  many  distinguished  people,  among  them 
V,  Avellne,  a novelist  who  was  once  secretary  to  Anatole 
vrance.  Mademoiselle  Bengson,  daughter  of  the  great 
philosopher,  who  Is  deaf  herself,  and  reads  the  lips  won 
derfully,  the  vrench  Minister  of  education  with  whom  i 
discussed  hov/  much  Is  still  to  be  done  for  the  blind  of 
this  country,  and  other  members  of  the  government,  one 
morning  we  visited  the  UNESCO,  where  a committee  on  the 
blind  was  hard  at  v/ork  trying  to  unify  the  divergent 
Braille  systems  for  the  sightless  --  a task  In  which  i 
am  happy  to  say  they  have  succeeded  admirably.  I re- 


Jo  Davidson 

0.  RUe  LECONTE  DE'LISLE 
PARIS  XVI'_  TELi  AUTEUtL  55-2S 


ceived  from  the  committee,  including  ceorges  ’^averat  and 
John  Jarvis  of  the  National  institute  for  the  Blind,  the 
warmest  welcome.  All  these  experiences  were  exciting  and 
thrilling,  but  polly  and  i were  glad  of  several  days'  respite 
at  Becheron,  and  i shall  always  bless  our  stay  in  Italy  as 
a godsend. 

pa  pesozza,  portofino,  was  a veritable  nest  of  frag- 
rances where  polly  and  i could  sleep,  eat  and  walk  daily. 
c!he  used  to  look  and  look  at  the  surrounding  mountains  and 
the  Mediterranean  with  its  many  charming  shades  of  blue. 

The  contessa  was  there  only  a few  days,  and  we  were  grate- 
ful for  the  utter  peace  that  enfolded  us  most  of  the  time, 
we  had  never  had  such  a difficult  task  to  calm  our  nagging 
sense  of  things  to  be  done  right  away  and  to  get  our  nerves 
under  control. 

It  was  a Joy  for  us  to  receive  jo  and  Florence  at 
portofino.  They  spent  one  night  there,  and  we  were  off 
bright  and  early  on  a motor  trip  to  plorance,  Mio  ^-lovei’- 


ing  w 

i 

„0ver 

were  tvjo  woMen 

•aore 

roj 

P.3. 

te  t' 

vvi  : oily 

aril  I 

to 

have  sail 

1 iuiu;-mal  tra/th. 

ling  ^ 

apH 

ui 

.)  in. 

how  ^ 

O O; 

nrlcUod 

1. th  ’’lio  olociueu.i 

e a id 

i\: 

i.'iy 

ilaj 

in  for.:.: 

tioi-i 

ton  ;;^-i,iipr 

i y un 

*1.  T 

r , ^ 

ill 

ii.n 

hin: ory 

Jo  Davidson 


8,  RUE  LEGO  NTE- DE  * LI  S LE 
PARIS  XVI  ? _ T£L;  AUTEU  I L SS-26 


'Gaetano  '^alvemini,  who  is  now  teaching  in  his  old  uni- 
versity, secured  permission  and  arranged  for  me  to  touch 
some  of  : ichelangelo ' s and  ponatello ' s masterpieces,  plat- 
forms and  ladders  were  put  up,  so  that  i could  reach  the 
titanic  figures.  we  were  alone,  as  the  doors  were  closed 
to  visitors.  1 cannot  describe  the  enraptured  moments  i 
spent  looking  at  ijonatello’s  adorable  little  -<t.  John  with 
open  mouth,  in  whose  harmonious  features  the  Joy  of  the 
master  in  the  rhythm  of  creation  is  evident,  and  his  -pavid, 
charming  but  not  convincing.  a.  was  also  enthralled  by 
’ ichelangelo ' s "pay'''  shedding  light  and  renewal  upon  the 
fields  and  cities  of  earth,  but  hiding  the  stars  and  life's 
most  profound  mysteries.  --  wight,'-  which  i fancied  as 
removing  the  veil  "while  crea.tion  v/idened  in  man's  view."  -- 
fnhe  "'jrutus"  wrestling  mightily  against  a destiny  he  could 
not  conquer.  --  phe  radonna  upon  whose  face  sorrow  has  set 
its  irrevocable  seal,  the  phrlst-child  glowing,  though  per- 
haps unconsciously,  with  the  daring  prophecy  of  a humanity 
to  be  reborn. 

Of  course  j could  guess  only  dimly  from  what  my  fingers 
saw  the  past  splendors  of  Florence's  art,  but  its  achieve- 
ments, shining  out  of  the  barbarism  and  tragedy  of  the 


Jo  Davidson 


e.  RUE  LECO  NT6- DE  - LI  S LE 
PARIS  XV  I TEL;  AUTEUI  L 55-2® 


ylddle  Ages*  strengthened  my  faith  in  the  final  triumph 
of  civilization.  'ye  visited  a few  of  the  old  palaces  and 
churches,  and  it  v/as  a delight  to  see  the  others  filling 
their  eyes  and  hearts  v/ith  the  magnificence  of  architec- 
ture and  paintings  which  i could  not  see.  Actually  i grew 
weary  passing  my  hand  over  the  limitless  variety  of  beau- 
tiful carvings  and  designs  on  wall,  pillar  and  tomb. 

There  was  a peculiar  flavor  for  me  in  the  narrow 
streets,  where  we  stood  up  against  the  buildings  to  let  the 
crowded  traffic  pass,  and  the  ponte  vecchio  from  which  pante 
must  have  gazed  often  upon  the  Arno  as  the  "pivina  comme- 
dia"  unfolded  itself  in  his  mind,  put  i was  even  more 
fascinated  when  we  went  up  to  viesole,  and  polly  described 
Florence  to  me  from  that  high  point,  jo  pointed  out  the 
amazing  resemblance  of  the  city  to  a huge  vase  of  flowers 
vihich  I had  Just  read  about  in  Anatole  France's  writings, 
we  spent  an  hour  at  the  handsome  institute  for  the  Blind 
in  Florence  — one  of  the  massive,  costly  monuments  which 
puesolini  left  --  and  now  they  cannot  maintain  it  on  account 
of  the  terrific  expense.  v,'e  v;ent  by  train  through  the  moun- 
tains to  Bologna,  v/here  pr.  posseti,  a friend  of  the  pobert 
Pfeiffers,  had  betiged  me  to  visit  the  blind  students  who 
take  a university  course  on  a footing  of  equality  with  the 


Jo  Davidson 

a.  RUE  LECONTE-OE-LISLE 
PARIS  XVI«_  TEL;  AUTEU  (L  55-26 


seeing.  It  was  truly  inspiring  to  learn  what  Italy  has  accom- 
plished for  its  blind  in  higher  education. 

Since  we  first  met  jo,  we  had  not  been  so  impressed  by  his 
brilliant  talk  as  we  were  on  that  trip.  it  was  a mine  of  Joy- 
ous humor,  wise  thoughts,  colorful  anecdotes  from  his  own  life, 
animated  word- sketches  of  art  and  artists  ancient  and  modern, 
and  v/itty  comments  on  literature.  The  ’’sraille  Bibliotheque” 
in  Paris  had  lent  me  books  such  as  Anatole  trance's  ”L'lle  des 
pingouins,”  ”La  Revolte  des  Anges”  and  Voltaire's  **candide," 
and  how  i enjoyed  discussing  with  jo  those  penetrating  sa- 
tires upon  the  Roman  catholic  church,  protestant  theology,  le- 
gal and  social  codes  and  nearly  every  other  phase  of  what  we 
call  civilization,  as  he  talked,  agreeing  or  disagreeing, 
urging  upon  me  more  leniency  in  my  judgments  of  capitalism, 
answering  our  questions  about  the  vicissitudes  and  the  unex- 
plored possibilities  of  art,  his  whole  soul  flew  to  his  tongue, 
was  attentive  as  he  listened,  and  sparkled  in  his  eye. 

prom  Florence  we  motored  through  cenoa  and  the  French 
Riviera,  when  we  arrived  at  the  corniche  Drive  on  the  Medi- 
terranean coast,  I kept  getting  out  of  the  car  to  feel  the  fan- 
tastic shapes  of  the  great  ja,„ged  red  and  golden  crags  and 
pick  the  exquisite  wild- flowers  by  the  way- side.  v;e  stopped 

one  night  at  ^t.  Paul,  a pleasant  walled  old  town  in  a region 


Jo  Davidson 


6.  RUE  LECO  NTE  DE  - LI  S LE 
PARIS  XVI*  _ TEL:  AUTeU  I L 55*26 


that  had  for  a thousand  years  not  known  the  yoke  of  a 
grand  seigneur.  The  little  hotel  on  the  mountain- top, 
where  Florence  used  to  stay  years  ago,  was  intoxicating 
with  its  roses,  lilies  and  carnations,  as  we  ate  our 
lunch  in  the  court-yard,  a flock  of  white  fantails  flew 
back  and  forth  overhead,  and  came  close  every  time  we 
fed  them  with  bread.  Next,  we  visited  Avignon,  walled, 
with  narrow  streets  and  full  of  ancient  trees,  dominated 
by  the  cathedral  that  had  been  the  scene  of  such  rivalry 
between  French  and  Italian  popes.  And  there  was  orange, 
Provence,  founded  as  a Roman  colony  by  Julius  jaesar. 

V;e  inspected  the  ruins  of  the  vast  amphitheatre  and  climbed 
the  many  curving  steps  on  which  the  people  had  sat  wit- 
nessing Greek  plays.  Really,  Nella,  jaesar's  "commentaria 
de  Gallia"  came  back  to  me  vividly  after  lying  dormant  in 
my  memory  during  fifty  years,  nazing  upon  those  aimazing- 
ly  well  preserved  ruins,  jo  said,  "mow  i understand  why 
vascism  has  such  a hold  on  the  imagination  of  many  people. 
They  believe  that  there  must  be  lasting  good  in  power  which 
produces  such  marvellous  works  as  these. " we  drove 
through  lovely  provence  odorous  with  broom  and  honeysuckle, 
where  the  troubadours  had  woven  their  magical  songs,  and 
on  through  Lyons  and  Fontainebleau  back  to  parts,  June  Ath. 

NOW  we  are  back  at  lecheron  again,  inhaling  deep 


Jo  Davidson 


e,RUE  LECONTE'DE-LISLE 
PARIS  XV  I ■_  TEL:  AUTEUI  L 5S-26 

draughts  of  its  beauty  and  seclusion.  it  is  an  old  manoir, 
parts  of  which  date  back  to  the  rei-ns  of  Louis  XI  and  Fran- 
cis I.  originally  it  was  assigned  to  the  illegitimate 
children  of  the  French  kinoS,  and  each  succeeding  generation 
has  added  to  the  structure.  The  house  has  been  modernized 
Just  enough  for  comfort,  but  it  is  romantic  for  me  to  feel 
the  old  stone  walls  and  floors  and  wide  fireplaces,  as  i 
write  in  this  stone  corridor,  scents  of  honeysuckle,  roses 
and  boxwood  drift  in  through  the  open  French  windows  from  a 
garden  delightful  with  the  shade  of  many  ancient  trees  of 
noble  height  and  girth.  aH  round  the  place  are  lovable 
fields  full  of  hay  and  ripening  grain  which  come  right  up 
to  the  wall,  and  where  polly  and  i v/alk  ever  so  often. 

Beyond  them  flows  the  placid  indre  River.  Crossing  a rustic 
bridge,  we  find  ourselves  on  what  jo  calls  his  island  --  a 
darling  spot  where  the  trees  and  vines  are  thick,  and  mosses 
cover  the  ground.  There  G-lno,  the  faithful  assistant  in  the 
studio  who  protected  pecheron  against  invasions  by  the  Ger- 
mans through  the  viar  years,  and  jo  fish  for  hours. 

HOW  I wish  you,  Nella,  could  be  here.'  polly  and  i have 
read  part  of  the  manuscript  of  jo's  autobiography,  and  i ear- 
nestly hope  that  it  will  receive  the  hearty  welcome  it  de- 
serves. comparisons  are  usually  of  doubtful  value,  but. 


Jo  Davidson 

6>RUe  LEGO  N TE- DE- LI  S LE 
PARIS  XVI?_TELiAUTELML  55*2© 


having  known  Teacher,  i feel  a spiritual  kinship  with  jo 
after  reading  his  story,  told  in  a simple,  vigorous  style. 

It  portrays  his  stru  gle  against  Impecunious  circumstances 
and  scant  schooling,  his  adventures  comical  and  pathetic 
hunting  jobs,  how  he  did  not  adopt  sculpture,  but  rather  it 
adopted  him,  his  heartbreaking  experiences  before  he  was 
recognized,  the  years  of  fruitful  work  and  the  world  figures 
from  almost  every  land  who  sat  for  him,  the  changes  and  cruel 
disappointments  that  have  pursued  him  to  this  very  day. 

The  patronage  which  the  rich  and  the  powerful  lavished  upon 
him  has  been  checked  for  the  time  being  by  that  wicked,  stu- 
pid witch-hunt  in  America,  of  course,  Nella,  i know  from 
experience  that  life  is  inexorable,  and  one  must  pay  the 
price  for  sincerity  and  plain  speech  in  the  face  of  reac- 
tionary forces,  but  that  does  not  lessen  the  indle.nant  sorrow 
which  burns  in  me  as  i watch  the  thunder  and  lightning  of 
bigoted  prejudice  passing  over  the  head  of  a man  who  has 
such  a great  nature,  a heart  so  overflowing  with  discerning 
sympathy  towards  his  fellow-creatures,  '^ut  reverses  never 
break  jo's  marvellous  spirit  any  more  than  they  did  Teacher's. 
AS  for  Florence,  the  longer  we  know  her,  the  deeper  grows 
our  affection.  nhe  is  as  noble  a woman  as  ever  shared  the 


MANOIR  DE  BECHERON 


s A c H e 

( I n d ro • a - Lo i ro  ) 


lot  of  a man  of  genius. 

por  the  past  two  weeks  polly  and  i have  posed  every 
day  for  Jo  as  he  paints  our  portrait  in  a studio  outside 
the  house  with  lavender  grov^ing  at  the  entrance,  v'henever 
we  stop  to  rest,  we  rln  out  to  the  biggest  cherry-tree  i 
ever  saw,  and  devour  its  luscious  fruit,  it  is  adorable 
how  jo's  dog  whiskey  --  a pouvier  as  large  as  a pony  -- 
stalks  through  the  studio  to  see  that  all  is  well,  occa- 
sionally he  puts  his  shaggy  head  on  my  knee  threatening  my 
pose.  Folly  is  much  pleased  v/ith  the  picture,  and  i hope 
we  may  meet  jo's  flattering  expectations. 

we  are  sad  at  the  thoueht  of  leaving  this  dear  old 
"pans  souci"  next  v/eek,  but  we  have  a few  matters  to  attend 
to  in  Paris  before  sailing  home,  as  soon  as  you  can  visit 
us,  how  we  shall  talk  and  talk.' 

With  our  united  love  to  peith  and  yourself,  and  with 
v/armest  greetings  from  jo  and  Florence,  i am, 


Affectionately  your  friend 


V 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 


Dearest  Nella: 

It  was  wonderful  of  you  to  come  all  the  way 
from  Foss  Mountain  and  stay  with  Polly  and  me  dur- 
ing the  first  hard  days  of  our  bereavement.  V/hat  a 
consolation  it  would  be  to  Herbert  — and  I am 
sure  it  is  — to  Imow  that  such  a true  and  real 
friend  caught  our  hands  in  hers  just  after  he  had 
-.eft  us  I 

I had  just  got  over  my  stunned  feeling,  sitting 
in  Herbert's  room,  and  experienced  the  worst  wrench 
at  my  heart  when  you  arrived.  Not  that  he  seemed 
dead,  but  his  very  closeness  to  me  made  it  all  the 
more  painful  that  I could  not  touch  his  living  hand 
or  feel  the  sustaining  strength  with  which  he  had 
served  first  Teacher  then  Polly  and  me  during 
seventeen  years.  As  Cameron  Clark  said,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  triumvirate  at  Arcan  Ridge,  and  his 
going  has  created  a vacancy  that  will  never  be 
filled.  Yes,  he  gave  us  the  best  part  of  his  life — 
his  dearness  to  Teacher  as  a son,  his  lovable  per- 
sonality, the  artist  that  was  in  him,  the  unceasing 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 

care  and  thoughtfulness  -witli  which  he  watched  over 
our  home.  How  many  things  he  did  crowd  upon  rt^r 
memory',  his  helping  us  to  move  from  Forest  Hills 
and  driving  us  around  and  taking  care  of  our  five 
dogs,  his  devoted  efforts  to  ease  the  difficult 
days  we  spent  in  winter-time  at  Harry  Lamb's  cottage, 
the  s.cill  with  which  he  assisted  us  to  reorganize  our 
life  at  Arcan  Ridge,  and  was  ready  to  do  it  again 
when  tile  house  was  rebuilt.  There  is  not  a spot  in 
our  grounds  that  does  not  warm  us  with  grateful 
affection  for  Herbert  — the  Communion  iValk  he 
built  for  me,  the  trees  and  roses  he  so  faithfully 
tended,  the  vegetable  garden  and  the  lawn  into  which 
he  put  an  energy  that  alas',  was  too  much  for  his  poor 
body.  Through  our  remembrance  glow  his  bright  smile, 
his  odd  whimsies  and  incorrigible  sense  of  fun  that 
lightened  many  a heavy  hour  for  us.  Polly  and  I are 
still  like  a ship  without  a rudder,  but  I love  to 
think  of  Herbert' s find^^eacher  and  carrying  to  her 
a triumphant  record  of  us  and  the  faith  that  moves  us 


to  new  accomplishment. 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


Your  account  of  how  the  children  received  the 
news  of  our  memorial  to  Herbert  touched  us  deeply. 

You  could  not  have  given  us  a svfeeter  comfort  than 
to  link  his  memory  with  their  joyous  playtime. 

Won't  you  let  us  send  another  bit  of  money  and  all 
our  loving  thoughts  for  the  memorial? 

The  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  the  Deaf-Blind 
at  Arcan  Ridge  came  off  splendidly.  We  missed 
Herbert  of  course  inexpressibly,  but  Tama  prepared 
a fine  buffet  luncheon,  and  Mary  Stuart  was  at  the 
household  helm  all  day.  My  little  talk  which  you 
approved  was  read  aloud,  and  they  assured  me  that 
Miss  Dinsmore,  the  new  Director,  would  give  a fresh 
impetus  to  the  work.  The  friendly  warmth  with  which 
the  deliberations  proceeded  brought  me  a feeling 
that  the  day  would  be  hastened  when  the  deaf-blind 
win  their  rights  and  privileges  as  human  beings. 

Now  I am  writing  notes  to  dear  Katharine  Cornell 
and  others  before  Polly  and  I leave  for  Chicago  Sunday. 
V/ith  our  love  to  Keith  and  your  sweet  self,  I am 

Devotedly  your  friend, 

iVestport,  Conn. 

September  JO,  1950 


3'c3Lm.. 


Nella  dear: 

Chriatmaa  haa  alwaya  had  a apecially  eweet  meaning  for 
Polly  and  me  in  itaelf  and  the  remembrance  of  frienda,  but 
we  were  touched  in  a particular  way  when  we  opened  the  gift 
which  aymbolizes  your  loving  thought  of  us. 

The  table  linen  set  is  a delight  to  my  touch,  and  Polly 
loves  its  exquisite  blue.  Whenever  we  use  it,  I shall  enjoy 
touching  its  delicate  texture  and  feeling  in  it  your  dearness 
and  artistic  sensibility.  Thanks  ever  so  much. 

Christmas  nas  not  seemed  the  same  to  us  without  Herbert 
and  his  genuine  joy  in  the  festivities,  but  our  memories  of 
him  are  an  imperishable  consolabion.  And  the  weekend  Polly 
and  I spent  at  Katharine  Cornell's  refuge,  Sneeden' s Landing, 
was  marvellousl  She  was  in  Cleveland  giving  her  play,  which 
I am  happy  to  say  the  audience  keenly  appreciated,  and  Nancy 
was  with  her,  but  Gertrude  Macy  and  the  husband  of  Brenda 
Forbes  met  us  with  his  car  and  drove  us  out  to  Sneeden' s Land- 
ing. There  was  a blue-gray  mist  upon  the  Hudson.  The  havoc 
wrought  among  the  trees  in  that  section  by  the  storm  and 
whirlwind  of  several  weeks  ago  was  fearful,  and  we  realized 
the  length  of  time  it  would  require  to  replace  them.  But  it 
was  a pleasure  to  see  the  evergreens  around  Katnarine's  pic- 


turesque  old  Dutch  house.  We  were  left  alone,  except  for  the  ser- 
vants, until  Christmas  Eve.  The  rest  we  had  Saturday  night  was 
perfect  after  the  rush  of  Ghristmasing.  And  0,  the  delicious 
hours  we  loafed  in  tiie  snug  warmth  of  an  immense  firelit  hearthl 
Over  in  a corner  was  a big,  adorable  tree  waiting  to  be  lighted, 
and  an  air  of  mystery  breathed  from  parcels  and  boxes  of  all  sorts 
scattered  around  it.  Lovely  old  Chinese  candelabra  on  the  walls 
caught  the  ruddy  glow  from  the  fire,  and  an  indescribable  cosiness 
enveloped  us.  Such  was  the  scene  Sunday  afternoon  when  Loonie, 
the  wee  dachshund,  gave  a joyous  bound,  and  in  another  moment 
Katha^il^e,  Guthrie  and  Nancy  entered.  The  radiance  of  Katharine 
banished  all  shadows  from  our  spirits,  and  we  babbled  over  with 
jolly  fellowship.  Soon  afterv/ards  I drove  off  with  Katharine 
and  Nancy  to  an  interesting  antique  shop  where  I touched  unusual 
treasures  gatnered  from  colonial  -houses  — a statue  of  Cervantes 
with  a friendly,  humorous  face,  twisted  mustache  and  a book  in 
his  hand,  lovely  French  clocks,  each  a jewel,  cut  glass  that 
suggested  flowers  in  its  exquisiteness,  a creche  and  astonishing 
copper  coffee  kettles.  The  keeper  of  the  shop  kindly  put  into 
my  hand  as  a Christmas  gift  a darling  doll  with  which  I had  fallen 
in  love.  On  getting  back,  I found  that  Polly  and  Guthrie  had  had 
a fascirmi-ting  talk  about  the  geography  and  history  of  New  York 
as  it  was  tv/o  centuries  ago.  By  the  way,  Washington's  head- 
quarters were  at  Sneeden' s Landing,  and  there,  too.  Major  Andre's 
trial  took  place.  Katnarine,  weary  though  she  was,  took  us  all 


out  to  a heavenly  spot  overlooking  the  Hudson  where  she  and 
Guthrie  are  having  a delightful  house  built  with  a circular 
stairway,  prodigious  windows,  terraces,  a library  and  retreats 
where  they  can  do  their  work  undisturbed.  It  is  still  far  from 
finished,  what  I saw  gave  me  a vivid  sense  of  the  peace,  the  sun- 
light and  the  satisfaction  of  accomplishment  that  will  inundate 
the  house,  and  tliat  vision  was  a precious  part  of  my  Christmas. 

You,  Nella,  would  have  loved  to  see  Katharine  in  her  hand- 
some plaid  robes.  After  dinner  we  all  attended  the  midnight 
service  a^  a pleasant  church  which  has  retained  its  old-time 
village  simplicity.  The  choir  sang  beautifully,  and  it  was 
touching  to  hear  children's  voices  as  they  lilted  the  Christmas 
carols.  The  sermon  was  on  peace,  short  and  simple  but  fragrant 
with  Heaven' s nearness.  Spiritually  refreshed,  we  returned  to 
our  merry-making  at  the  fireside.  Among  the  guests  were  Brenda 
and  Jilarshall,  Ann  Gugler,  the  wife  of  the  architect,  and  Constance 
Campbell  — the  friend  connected  with  Ishbel  Ross's  "journey  Into 
the  Light."  He  sat  up  until  the  "wee  sma'  hours"  while  presents 
were  opened,  happy  comments  made  and  sandwiches  nibbled.  Would 
that  I might  convey  to  you  a picture  of  that  hospitable  gatliering, 
the  great  fire,  the  lighted  tree,  the  colorful  display  of  gifts, 
tissue  paper  and  ribbons,  with  dear  Katharine's  personality  shedding 
grace  and  cheer  over  all.  Polly  and  I felt  privileged  indeed  to 
share  in  her  home  Christmas. 

Monday  we  had  dinner  with  the  Grummone.  We  were  rather 
subdued  thinking  of  Herbert' s absence  and  under  the  shadow  of  the 


1 


present  world  situation,  but  Stuart  and  Sandra  were  goodness 
itself  to  us,  and  tneir  children's  bright  faces  did  us  good. 
There  v;ere  some  tame  chickadees  outside  that  kept  tapping  the 
window  with  their  bills  impatient  for  food.  After  we  had 
eaten,  we  went  out  on  the  terrace,  where  I stood  v/ith  grain  be- 
tween my  fingers,  waiting  until  I felt  the  grip  of  tiny  claws. 
Then  a diminutive  beak  seized  the  morsel,  and  I sensed  the  whir? 
of  wings  as  the  bird  flew  off  to  enjoy  its  treasure  trove.  That 
was  one  of  tlie  countless  shy  sensations  that  spill  delight 
through  my  silent  darkness. 

Yes,  I sinall  be  glad  to  sign  the  photograph  for  the 
children  in  Snowville.  It  is  sweet  to  know  that  they  realize 
the  meaning  of  tneir  and  our  memorial  to  Herbert. 

Until  we  see  you  January  and  tlmnking  you  again 

for  your  darling  gift,  I am,  with  Polly's  love 

Affectionately  your  friend, 

! 

L t-  n i t / - 


V/estport,  Conn. 
January  1,  1951 


sesjsi  ooi  ft'.eK  ait.izt  ba^  JiawJg  Jj.-j  ^aolsaLils  bliat  Jatetiq 
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‘10  qii;.;  ciU  dlo'i  I fidnjj  yxlSio'n  .iiar^n 
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drigliei  Iliqc  auoiJaaneo  easldut/oo  &.J-  lo  ouo  aaw 

■'  .eeeruiiab  dnafie  riyjonU 

90f  lol  aqa-tgoJ-oriq  sili  .igie  od  baig  ad  Hade  I ,aal 
o::iIaai  x«iU  Jsdf  wonot  od  deewe  ol  dl  .sllivwont  ni  aoiblldo 
.diadish  od  laiicuoffl  luo  i.ra  TX6:*d  lo  gcinx-eE  end 
nxagB  uox  „:j  b.ia  ,b'i^  tiauaBL  v,ov  ,jas  iionU 

svol  ,aiB  I tdllq,  ivo\  lo'i 

.bneiil  luox  'C-tfJ’jQfio id oe  11a 


.nijov  ,-^oqdc.©i; 
I9Ji  ,I  Y^x;iJx^aL 


6. Rue  Leconte-de-Lisle 
Par  IS,  16' 

AuT.  55-2S 


July  2,  1952. 

Dearest  Nella, 

Here  I am  at  last  sending  you  a letter  Just 
for  the  pleasure  of  writing  it. 

Until  now,  as  you  so  well  understand,  I have 
been  obliged  to  rest  after  the  despotism  of  my 
work  — it  is  a blessed  privilege  to  me,  but  it 
has  exacted  every  bit  of  energy  I could  pit  into 
it,  and  "dity  letters"  have  been  all  I could  ma- 
nage. 

Polly  and  I returned  last  Monday  with  Florence 
from  Becheron  whore  I spent  a happy,  peaceful  birth- 
day, and  where  for  days  I enjoyed  to  the  full  the 
"dolce  far  niente."  The  only  thing  lacking  to 
make  complete  my  visit  to  Becheron  was  the  joy  of 
having  you  with  us . I did  want  you  to  share  with 
us  the  utter  loveliness  of  dear  Jo's  "Sans  Souci" 
which  we  were  perhaps  seeing  for  the  last  time. 

Poor  Florence,  I fear  that  it  will  be  too  great  a 
burden  for  her  to  keep  Becheron  with  all  the  respon- 


6 Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris,  16* 

AuT.  55-26 


sibllltles  and  expenses  it  entails.  We  will  tell 
you  all  about  it  when  wo  see  you, 

V/hon  everything  at  Bocheron  blooms,  shines  and 
sings,  it  is  a bit  of  Heaven  on  earth.  It  was  won- 
derful just  to  sit  in  the  courtyard  during  the  day 
and  let  the  motions  of  the  air  play  on  my  face. 

The  lavender  hedge  beside  the  door  of  Jo’s  studio 
svrung  on  every  breeze,  discharging  its  odor  mingled 
with  the  sage  and  thyme,  Roses  and  honeysuckles 
everywhere  poured  out  their  souls  in  cascades  of  de- 
light, Day-lilies,  pungent  marigolds,  arbor  vitae 
and  scented  leaves  on  some  of  the  shrubs  gave  a pe- 
culiar quality  to  the  soft  sighing  of  the  wind,  I 
understood  then  what  Hudson  meant  when  he  described 
his  passivity  as  he  sat  hour  after  hour  with  his 
power  of  collected,  purposeful  thinking  suspended. 
Instinctively  he  was  waiting  for  new  life  to  be 
poured  into  him.  He  believed,  and  so  do  I,  that 
this  is  one  of  the  static  goods  of  the  mind  which  we 
must  cultivate  sometimes  in  order  to  lessen  the 
strain  and  nervous  irritation  of  mental  effort. 


6. Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris,  16' 

A UT . 55*2  6 


Now,  after  giving  you  a picture  of  one  of  my 
blessed  states,  I will  speak  of  the  emotional  "e- 
blouissement, " as  Victor  Hugo  would  say,  that  I had 
at  the  Sorbonne,  It  was  thrilling  to  have 
Polly  describe  the  venerable  college,  the  audience 
crowding  the  hall  of  learning  to  the  rafters,  the 
powerful  Kleig  lights  and  the  blind  near*  us  who 
were  on  the  programme,  Pierre  Henri  and  several 
others  paid  tributes  full  of  spirit  and  warmth  to 
Louis  Braille,  Between  the  speeches  blind  music- 
ians played  exquisitely  on  the  piano  and  the  violin. 
You  can  imagine  my  Joy  when  M,  Henri  and  several 
other  distinguished  blind  persons  had  the  decoration 
of  the  Legion  d'Honneur  pinned  on  their  coats. 

After  my  little  talk,  which  the  audience  received 
with  affectionate  fervor,  I was  decorated  too,  and 
oh  the  applause,  Nellai  It  did  not  seem  possible 
that  that  tremendous  volume  of  vibration  had  burst 
forth  Just  for  me,  causing  the  rafters  to  ring  again 


6 Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris,  16' 

AUT.  55-2S 


It  was,  and  still  is  like  a dream.  Such  a magni>fi 
OBnt  compliment  awes  me,  but  sunce  it  has  been  so 
willed,  I hope  that  I can  deserve  it  a little  by 
finding  new  ways  to  serve  the  handicapped  before  I 
depart  from  earth, 

Hy  emotions  reached  a high  pitch  again  when 
Polly  and  I were  in  the  Pantheon  on  Sunday  the  22nd 
That  noble  building  impressed  me  powerfully  as  a 
memorial  to  the  best  and  the  greatest  men  and  women 
VJe  had  been  invited  by  a descendant  of  Louis 
Braille  — a good-looking,  distinguished  man  -- 
to  sit  with  him  and  his  family  during  the  ceremon- 
ies, and  I felt  that  nothing  could  have  honored  me 
more  than  such  an  intimate  contact  with  kinsfolk 
from  Coupvray  which  Louis  Braille  loved  so  passion- 
ately.  Everything  was  conducted  with  supreme  ele- 
gance and  dignity  — the  glorious  music,  the  color- 
ful costumes  of  the  Republican  Army  which  raised 
their  sabres  every  time  an  important  personage 


6, Rue  Leconte-de-Lisle 
Paris,  16' 

Aut.  55-2S 


appeared,  and  through  which  the  bier  was  boi*no. 

The  Minister  of  Health  made  an  eloquent  speech  on 
Louis  Braille’s  contribution  to  the  fellowship  of 
mind  and  spirit  which  has  united  the  seeing 
the  blind.  He  dwelt  on  the  amazing  simplicity  of 
the  alphabet  which  enables  more  and  more  of  the 
sightless  to  read  and  write,  and  he  ended  by  say- 
ing that  Civilization  had  been  brought  a step 
nearer,  since  the  Inventor  of  the  dot  system  was 
recognized  by  the  world.  I was  introduced  to  Pre- 
sident Aurlol,  and  I sensed  real  gladness  in  his 
hand  as  he  clasped  mine,  (He  was  a friend  of  Jo’s) 
Afterwards  M,  Braille,  the  descendant,  asked  me  to 
take  his  arm  as  vie  walked  down  into  the  crypt, 
and,  Bella,  the  silence  was  aX'Te-insplring  — one 
of  the  experiences  that  occur  once  or  twice  in  a 
lifetime.  It  was  a marvellous  service  untouched 
by  creed  or  dogma,  sanctified  by  an  element  of 
xmlversal  worship.  It  was  Georges  Raverat  whose 


6, Rue  leconte-de-Lisle 
Paris  ,16' 

AUT.  55-26 


big-hearted  devotion  and  vigorous  efforts  made  it 
possible  for  the  blind  to  appear  at  the  Sorbonne, 
and  it  was  he  too  who  arranged  for  the  removal  of 
Louis  Braille's  ashes  to  the  Pantheon,  I hope 
that  now  the  people  of  Prance  may  become  blind- 
conscious and  push  forward  the  long  delayed  process 
of  integrating  their  capable  sightless  into  normal 
society, 

I have  Just  been  reading  M,  Henri's  "La  Vie 
et  I'Oeuvre  de  Louis  Braille,"  and  I am  able  to 
tell  you,  Nella,  that  my  first  Impression  of  lir, 
Kugelraas's  book  was  correct,  V’e  cannot  condemn  it 
too  strongly  as  a mass  of  errors,  anachronisms, 
inventions  and  "invraisemblances , " It  does  not 
serve  its  avowed  purpose  of  coraminl eating  know- 
ledge to  young  people  if  it  deforms  the  personality 
of  Louis  Braille  by  wresting  facts  from  the  frame- 
work of  his  quiet  life  and  putting  in  figments  of 
the  Imagination, 


6, Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris.  16* 

AUT.  55-26 


July  fifth.  Dear  me,  we  see  by  this  morning’s 
paper  that  Sophie  Tucker  is  in  tovm.  How  often 
she  has  followed  or  preceded  us  on  our  tours  I 

This  week  Florence,  Polly  and  I spent  a mar- 
vellous evening  with  Monsieur  and  Madame  Digni- 
mont  vrho  were  among  Jo’s  close  friends. 

M,  Dignimont  is  the  well  known  French  artist  whose 
charming  painting  of  Becheron  hangs  on  the  wall  of 
Polly’s  office.  While  we  were  there,  we  met  Michele 
Simone,  who  is  regarded  as  the  greatest  actor  in 
France,  From  the  dimples  in  his  beaming  face  I 
should  not  have  known  that  his  role  is  that  of 
tragedy,  but  when  I saw  his  hands  aquiver  with  un- 
derstanding of  human  sorrow  and  joy,  I was  pro- 
foundly stirred.  Their  exquisite  sensitivenes 
is  another  form  of  speech, 

Polly  and  I are  bringing  home  a film  for  Nancy 
which  we  had  "made"  here  in  Paris.  We  did  our  best 
to  follow  her  suggestions,  but  we  are  afraid  that 


6, Rue  leconte-de-Lisle 
Paris.  16' 

AUT.  55-26 


the  film  may  not  be  all  she  wants. 

The  mondial  heat  vmve  has  all  but  prostrated 
us  the  last  few  days.  However,  we  managed  to  re- 
fresh ourselves  at  several  restaurants  out-doors  — 
one  at  the  end  of  Avenue  Foch  at  the  beginning  of 
the  Bois  de  Boulogne,  where  it  is  alviays  cool  and 
delightful,  another  on  the  Ghamps-Elysees  and 
the  Pre  Catalan, 

V/ednesday  morning  we  went  to  the  Louvre  where 
I was  permitted  to  touch  some  works  of  art,  A- 
mong  them  were  marvellous  friezes  from  the  Par- 
thenon which  enabled  me  to  feel  the  beautiful 
foirnis  of  youths  and  maidens  and  follow  the  rhythm 
of  their  bodies.  Thus  I could  fill  out  a bit  more 
the  mental  picture  of  the  Parthenon  that  has 
thrilled  me  ever  since  Polly  and  I climbed  the 
Acropolis,  There  were  impressive  giant  stone 
statues,  badly  broken  and  defaced,  but  eoquent  of 
ancient  G-reek  art.  A moving  representation  was 


6, Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris,  16“ 

AUT.  55-2S 


two  friends  before  death  shaking  hands  with  a long 
last  look.  My  fingers  thrilled  as  they  passed  over 
an  adorable  Eros,  a dancing-girl  who  seemed  to  me 
one  of  the  Graces,  an  appealing  image  of  a young 
athlete  who  had  met  his  death  at  the  Olympic  games 
and  his  boy  slave  and  two  dogs  looking  up  at  him 
most  affectionately,  I wish  that  something  would 
move  you,  Nella,  to  come  to  Paris  with  us  some- 
time, learn  to  know  and  love  it  as  we  do  and  feast 
your  eyes  upon  the  treasures  in  the  Louvre, 

At  present  I am  reading  "Les  Miserables,"  one 
of  the  countless  books  I have  not  found  leisure  for 
all  these  years.  It  contains  twenty-eight  Braille 
volumes.  It  is  an  amazing  book,  and  if  Victor  Hugo 
had  had  Tolstoy’s  power  of  suggestion  and  compact 
x^rlting,  it  might  have  ranked  ^^^lth  "War  and  Peace." 
As  it  is,  Hugo  deserves  eternal  gratitude  for  his 
mighty  fulmlnations  against  degrading  poverty,  the 
convict  system  that  used  to  exist  in  Prance  and 


6, Rue  leconte-de-Lisle 
Paris,  16* 

AuT.  55  -26 


ecclestiastlc  despotism, 

Well,  well,  I have  not  said  a word  about  our 
trip  through  the  Near  Bast.  You  will  learn  much 
from  Karl  Meyer's  diary  and  the  many  fine  photograph 
we  have  to  show  you.  Ho  took  great  pains  to  bring 
out  the  meaning  of  our  work,  and  we  ourselves  are 
astonished  at  the  enormous  amount  we  accomplished. 
Some  error  on  the  part  of  the  American  Poixndation 
created  an  impression  abroad  that  I was  to  address 
universities  and  schools  for  the  seeing  as  a sort  of 
missionary,  beside  visiting  the  institutions  for  the 
handicapped,  and  that  is  vjhy  our  program  was  so 
crowded.  However,  thanks  to  the  capacity  for  more 
intense  living  that  some  of  us  develop  towards  the 
end  of  our  earth-life,  I have  garnered  a vrealth  of 
memories  which  will  shine  upon  me  until  Eternity. 
There  is  the  awful  sense  of  a whole  civilization 
entombed  when  I visited  the  Museum  in  Cairo,  a glo- 


6. Rue  leconte-de-Lisle 
Paris. 16' 

A UT . 55 -2  S 


rious  remembrance  of  the  Mosque  of  Light  to  which 
Madame  Marzouk  took  us  and  the  bird's-eye  view  wo 
had  of  the  city  old  and  new  from  the  heights  occu- 
pied by  the  mosque.  It  is  a poem  to  recall  the 
night  we  spent  on  the  desert  under  the  shadow 

of  the  Pyramids,  .1  could  fgel  the  silence  of  the  desert,  intense, 
primal,  hostile  to  all  gro^^rth,  extending  over  the  noiseless  sand  in  e- 
vei’y  direction.  On  sev'ral  occasions  we  met  charming  Egyptian  women, 
progressive  in  their  ideas,  with  whom  it  was  a delight  to  discuss  va^fL- 
ous  aspects  of  history  and  who,  I believe,  will  exercise  a potent  influ- 
ence on  the  higher  development  of  their  country.  One  of  them  said  to 
me,  "The  Egyptian  people  have  a strong  will-power,  but  you  must  make 
them  believe  in  a movement  before  they  attempt  it*"  And  how  true  that 
is  of  the  work  for  the  blind  and  the  deaf!  The  good  school  and  work- 
shop for  the  blind  at  Zeitoun  and  the  splendid  institute  for  deaf  girls 
opened  by  the  Government  owe  their  existence  to  the  untiring  persever- 
ance of  Mr.  Sayyed  Fattah,  a jolly,  lovable  man,  an  undiscoiirageable 
optimist,  whose  jokes  made  me  laugh  away  difficulties  whenever  we  met. 

And  there  was  the  unforgettable  hour  which  Taha  Hussein  Pasha  spent 
with  me  at  the  Semiramis  Hotel  in  Cairo.  He  could  not  speak  English, 
but  his  son  — the  true  son  of  his  mind  and  a dear,  charming  boy,  inter- 
preted for  us  both.  '»<e  talked  about  many  things  — Homer,  Aeschylus, 
Euripides  and  other  Greek  poets  and  dramatists,  the  liberating  power  of 
the  mind,  Taha  Hussein's  studies  of  the  great  blind  Arab  philosopher  of 
the  tenth  century  and  his  summer  home  on  an  island  in  the  Nile,  and  how 
responsive  and  tender  he  was  to  me!  I plucked  up  courage  to  ask  him  what 
he  had  done  for  the  blind  while  he  was  Minister  of  Education,  and  he 
told  me  that  he  had  worked  quietly  helping  capable  blind  people  to  go 
on  to  a college  or  a university.  He  said  that  one  of  the  chief  needs 
of  the  Egyptian  blind  was  secondary  schools  from  which  they  could  go 
to  finish  their  education  in  a college.  It  was  a precious  boon  to  feel 
his  strong  personality  behind  me  when  I pleaded  with  different  ministers 


6, Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris,  16' 

AUT.  55-2S 


of  the  Government  to  establish  those  secondary  schools.  Finally 
the  Minister  of  Education  said  definitely  that  the  schools  wovild 
be  opened,  and  Mr.  Fattah  beamed  his  assurance  that  the  promise 
would  be  fulfilled.  Nous  verrons  — you  know  how  dilatory  the 
officials  of  the  Middle  East  are. 

Ne  were  most  hospitably  entertained  at  Beirut,  and  everybody 
was  wonderful  to  us.  Beirut  is  a sweet,  clean  city,  packed  with 
schools,  colleges  and  Christian  luissions.  At  some  distance  is  the 
Lebanon  range  of  mountains  where  'we  had  a glorious  drive  through 
peaceful  pastures  and  villages  that  recalled  Bible  times,  and  we 
found  one  or  two.  places  where  every  man  sat  under  his  oto  fig-tree 
and  his  o>m  vine,  and  no  one  made  him  afraid.  I was  disappointed 
not  to  see  the  ancient  cedars  of  Lebanon,  but  I touched  many  young 
ones  and  revelled  in  their  fragrance. 

Damascus  was  absorbingly  fascinating  and  exciting  too.  We  could 
feel  how  terribly  the  Syrians  are  stirred  up  over  the  Arab  refugees 
from  Palestine,  and  it  was  not  prudent  for  us  to  leave  the  hotel 
unless  some  one  from  the  American  Embassy  accompanied  us.  VJe  under- 
stood that  Damascus  is  the  oldest  continuously  inhabited  city  on 
earth.  ¥e  saw  many  handsome  buildings,  mosques  and  picturesque  old 
shops,  and  I walked  on  the  oldest  street  in  the  world.  I learned 


6, Rue  Leconte-de-Lisle 
Paris.  16' 

Aut.  55-2S 


that  the  women  of  that  city  are  moving  rapidly  tov?ards  social  maturity 
and  independence,  and  that  more  of  them  go  to  the  University  than  men. 

V/e  attended  a meeting  of  the  Arab  Women’s  Federation,  and  I was  sure, 
judging  by  their  warm-hearted  response,  that  they  would  at  least  start 
one  school  for  the  blind.  We  had  a public  meeting,  and  I will  say  to 
you,  Nella,  that  I gave  them  the  devil  because  their  blind  had  been  ut- 
terly neglected.  I had  been  wrong  in  my  ideas  of  Arab  psychology.  They 
have  little  sense  of  social  responsibility,  and  must  be  pounded  and 
pounded  before  they  adopt  an  attitude  of  helpfulness  towards  the  imfor- 
tianate.  There  is  an  appalling  economic  and  social  gap  between  the  poor 
and  the  rich  in  all  the  Arab  co;antries  through  which  we  have  travelled, 
and  any  attempt  to  remedy  the  situation  is  put  down  ruthlessly  by  their 
rulers . 

We  often  passed  the  camps  of  refugees,  and  I turned  sick  at  the 
inconceivable  misery  and  helpless  animality  in  which  they  live.  Yet  the 
wealthy  Arabs  who  o\m  rich,  beautiful  lands  throughout  the  Near  East  do 
little  or  nothing  for  those  pitiful  creatures  but  fill  the  world's  ears 
with  their  complaints  and  wrongs,  while  the  United  Nations  uses  every 
possible  means  to  solve  their  problem.  It  was  heart-warming  for  us  to 
meet  all  the  way  from  Egypt  to  old  Jerusalem  American  delegates  who 
are  working  with  all  their  might  on  Point  Four.  As  we  listened  to  the 


6, Rue  Leconte-de-Lisle 
Pa  R I s , 1 6' 

AuT.  55-2G 


tlu-UUne  st..y  of  tholr  efforts,  the  ehdloss  obstacles  they  encounter 
and  their  slow  but  steadily  increasing  trlunph  in  conrinclng  the  bach- 
ward  peoples  that  self-help  is  the  sure  way  to  sal„tlo„,  the  world  at- 
aosphere  vibrated  for  me  with  new  energy  and  hope.  Despite  the  tragic 
blunderings  cf  toerica  in  Its  foreign  policy.  Just  to  hear  and  look  at 
those  young  men  and  women  absorbed  in  their  global  endeavor  was  a revel- 
ation to  me  cf  the  growing  intelligence  and  spirit  of  service  to  others 
that  will  yet  establish  Oivllisatlon  for  all  peoples. 

It  was  the  golden  season  of  harvest,  and  on  all  the  roads  over 

which  we  drove  from  Beirut  to  Israel  I smelt  the  blessedness  of  plenty 

Polly  described  to  me  the  endless  processions  of  camels,  donlceys,  men  and 

boys  car.yi„g  the  wheat  to  its  destination.  As  a whole,  eacept  for  se- 

woral  citUs  and  towns,  the  land  was  quite  as  pasoral  as  when  Abraham  and 

s men  tilled  it.  For  mile  after  mile  thousands  of  sheep  and  goats 

browsed  by  the  roadside,  and  the  primitive  solitude  spoke  volnmes  to  my 
imagination. 


in  .erusale.  I was  bored  stiff  .-3igbt-seeing.  ••  We  went  to  the  Church 
of  the  Nativity  and  the  alleged  tomb  of  the  Virgin  Maiy,  and  Oh,  the  sick- 


ening commercialism  of  it  all!  We  climbed 
and  heard  eveiy  detail  of  the  vicissitudes 


every  step  of  the  Via  Dolorosa 
which  had  befallen  those  sacred 


6, Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Par  IS.  16“ 

AuT.  55-26 


places.  The  smells  of  the  ancient  city  were  horrible,  and  nearly  drove 
me  crazy.  It  was  all  I could  do  to  keep  from  exclaiming  out  loud,  "How 
can  any  sane  person  call  places  containing  such  filth  sacred  to  any 
religion?"  Hovrever,  there  was  a satisfying  spiritual  experience  that 
brought  Polly  and  me  happiness.  Early  one  Sunday  morning  we  visited 
the  garden  sepulchre  of  the  Lord.  As  you  probably  know,  when  General 
Gordon  ■'.■ra.s  in  Jerusalem,  he  discovered  what  he  felt  sure  was  the  real 
site  of  the  Lord's  tomb  — the  new  sepulchre  not  yet  finished  in  which 
Joseph  of  Arimathea  laid  the  body.  What  a forceful  symbol  of  God's 
Work,  unfinished,  going  on  forever!  We  walked  down  a path  bordered 
with  tall  sage,  thyme  and  other  sweet  herbs  and  wild-flovrers  that  must 
have  gladdened  Jesus's  heart,  and  as  we  entered  the  tomb,  I was  full 
not  of  sorrow  but  deeply  felt  joy.  For  there,  as  always,  God's  Pre- 
sence was  an  exalted  reality  to  me.  We  sat  dov/n  at  the  entrance  and 
gave  ourselves  up  to  an  inundation  of  virgin  morning  fragrances,  sun- 
shine soft  and  tender  — a reflection  of  His  revivifying  Love,  the 
songs  of  birds,  and  I was  more  than  ever  confident  in  the  Resurredection. 

When  we  at  last  crossed  the  area  of  bombed  territory  between  the 
two  parts  of  Jerusalem,  I was  speechless  at  the  desolate  ruin  around  us. 
But  in  another  moment  we  had  entered  the  electric,  stimulating  atmo- 


6, Rue  Leconte  de-Lisle 
Paris,  16' 

AuT.  55-2S 


sphere  of  Israel,  so  different  from  the  putrescent  decay  of  civiliza- 
tions not  yet  buried.  Really,  Israel  is  all  that  I have  read,  it  is 
clean,  vigorous  and  rejoicing  "like  a strong  man  to  run  a race."  Every- 
body in  Israel  is  working  with  a will  to  found  a commonwealth  on  the 
highest  ideals  of  the  Prophets.  From  one  end  of  the  Republic  to  the 
other  Polly  and  I saw  and  touched  the  fertility  that  the  hands  of  the 
people  have  wrought  in  the  bare  hills  and  plains.  As  we  went  from  one 
kubbitz  to  another,  we  observed  how  happy  and  healthy  the  children  and 
youths  were,  and  how  wisely  they  are  being  trained  not  only  for  agricul- 
ture and  industry,  but  also  for  constructive  citizenship.  We  were  de- 
lighted with  the  good  roads  and  bridges  in  process  of  construction  every- 
where, and  we  parsed  the  gigantic  irrigation  projects  on  which  Mrs.  Roose- 
velt has  commented.  But  -..-hat  we  saw  in  a country  surrotmded  by  enemies 
and  involved  in  difficult  financial  problems  is  so  wonderful  that  doub- 
ters will  hardly  believe  our  report. 

The  work  for  the  blind  and  the  deaf  in  Israel  has  not  been  exagger- 
ated. I was  impressed  by  the  intelligence  and  alertness  of  the  teachers 
of  both  groups.  Their  imagination  and  resourcefulness  help  the  pupils  to 
overcome  lack  of  equipment  and  of  apparatus  that  bypasses  their  limita- 
tions. It  is  touching  to  reflect  that  this  want  of  proper  educational 


Nella  darling, 


•.7hat  angelic  patience  you  have  displayed  over  ny  uncon- 
scionable  silence'  And  what  undeserved  pleasure  your  newsy 
tetters  have  added  to  the  emotions  and  impressions  which 
have  overflowed  me  lake  a tide  these  past  two  months.'  Besid 
the  hard  work  and  the  fast  thinking  I have  had  to  do  in  order 
to  have  the  proper  remarks  and  speeches  ready  for  occasions 
not  unexpected,  it  is  true,  but  bristling  with  ^unexpected 
circumstances,  this  journey  has  been  as  thrilling  ror  me  as 
"The  Arabian  Nights"  and  fke  tales  of  Greek  n^hclcgy  in  one. 
It  is  only  new  that  Polly  and  I hap  fi^|^d  our  last  offi- 
cia  Engagement  in  India,  at  : in  the  mountains,  and 

I can  take  breath  to  write  you  at  least  a fraction  of  the 
experiences  and  adventures  that  have  befallen  us  since  we 
set  foot  on  Indian  soil. 


During  our  first  three  toys,  end  indeed  ,»st  of  the 
ti.e  „„r  visit  W.S  vonderful,  terrifying,  heotio.  ye 
through  a »hirlv/ind  of  Bootings,  receptions  official  and 
unoffiol-a  and  calls  on  president  Pras«i,  the  anisiry  of 
Dduoation,  especially  Mr  grad  ahd  other  proBinent  persons. 
The  presides  was  darling,.  siBple  and  easy  to  tatk  pith, 
ye  could  see  the  strain  and  stress  of  constant  work  and  dif - 
.iculty  upon  his  face.  He  shcped  us  a bottle  surBountod 
ty  a tiny  bit  Of  rock  phich  the  cjinbera  had  picked  up  on 
the  top  Of  Mount  Everest.  ,s  I fingered  that  stoll  „Bento 
of  victor,  over  the  tremendons  forces  of  nature,  I had  a vi- 
aion  of  a Bighti.r  conquest  phen  should  attain  the  spi- 
ritual courage  to  behold  God  face  to  face. 

But  the  Best  iBpressive  personality,  the  Best  electri- 
tylhg  eapressicn  of  India  pe  net  pas  Hehru.  ye  sa.  hi„  se- 
veral tines,  and  he  Invited  us  to  a quiet  dinner  in  his  home 
before  po  left  for  Bombay.  „d  his  daughter  Indir.  paid 


I 


^ laaicang  us  feel  aq  -.•^> 

- -3  Of  their  fanaiy.  „o,  ,.ella,  x could  „ t 

- - a .orld  fi^..,  ,,  — - -rset  that 

- X understood  ho.  it  I3  that 
^ehru  creates  :.en  and  enlighte 

Xug  presences  spread  quicken- 

spread  .arni:h  through  the  void  of  . 

-e  Often  hear  that  -Jei,  • • Xsno ranee. 

ru  13  impatient  at  the  slowness  of  th 
progress  Which  he  thinks  essential  to  th 

^dxa  in  ad^iatration,  education  of  the  people 

- - ... 

■ ”"  hi«,„  i„ 

«-P  .a  i-a«.  I« 

ouen  If  he  lives 

-PP.-0  ..a  :i:r:: --- - 

-eao-  J W as  champions  of  world 

peace  and  Civiliza+-!,.v. 

e talked  about  Tagore  alVd  t s* 
poetrv  in  , -iJgore  and  Indian 

^ “ S.a.ral, 

Of  Indi..,  3,„„  **  ‘Paaalation, 

»'>™  ahowed 


exquisite  ivories.  Cne  of  them,  an  elephant  *s  tusk  which  he 
supported  for  me  to  feel,  is  seven  feet  high,  beautifully- 
carved  in  the  likeness  of  a long  branch  of  a tree.  I expressed 
a wish  that  I might  see  the  Taj  Ijahal,  and  to  ny  surprise 
Nehru  said  that  he  would  see  what  could  be  done  to  make  such 
a visit  possible  when  I returned  to  Deljii  in  April. 

Bombay,  where  we  passed  an  exciting  week,  is  an  inter- 
esting city  with  some  nice  buildings  and  a bea\xtiful  drive 
along  the  shore  of  the  Arabian  Sea.  T7e  found  the  city  very 
nrjch  alive,  and  there  were  immense  crowds  at  all  the  meet- 
ings. Fortunately  those  gatherings  were  held  out  doors;  so 
we  did  not  suffer  too  much  from  the  heat.  I am  sorry  to  say 
that  although  a warm  interest  in  thfe  blind  was  evident, 
yet  I had  no  chance  to  visit  the  deaf  oT  speak  for  them. 


were  so  warm  and  eager  TiO  s^ve  ana 


V 


wonaeied  wiiy  che  deaf  were  not  included  in 

ihe  campaign.  e visited  tnu  sciiool  for  the  uiind  and  wex'e 
delighted  wn;h  their  hisn  standard  or  woricmanstiip.  Also  I 
laid  the  foundation  stone  oi  the  first  sheltered  workshop  for 
the  olind  in  India  butsiue  the  schools  that  teach  olind  yotrth. 
I told  the  people  it  was  a step  in  the  right  direction  to 
start  the  worKshop,  out  it  was  not  enough.  I reminded  them 
that  they  had  sown  only  a tiiy  seed  for  the  two  million  olind 
wf  India,  and  that  worhshops  must  be  set  up  for  them  in 
eveiy  state  ueiore  th  cal  was  attained.  It  is  hoped  that 
the  sheltered  workshop  will  convince  the  public  of  the  capa  - 
bilities  of  the  adult  blind,  and  that  employers  of  large 
concerns  will  be  persuaded  to  engage  them  in  open  industry. 
Another  time  I spoke  to  the  women's  councils  of  Bombay  on 
prevention  of  blindness.  I was  pleased  to  learn  of  the  eye 


camps,  mobile  clinics  ana  eye  propaganda  in  the  State  of 
Bombay,  but  I urged  the  women  to  take  up  the  responsibility 
of  securing  funds  and  having  mere  and  more  nurses  trained 
so  that  the  ophthalmologists  might  extend  their  heroic  fight 
against  the  agelong  scourge  or  olindness. 

The  principal  interests  of  Hyc|rabad,  to  which  we  \^'ent 
from  Bombay,  were  its  amazing  engineering  projects  for  dams, 
canals  and  improved  farming  and  the  handsome  architecture  of 
the  University  where  v/e  spoke,  Aoout  twelve  thousand  stu  - 
dents  attend  the  laiiversity,  aod  I met  talented  ones  who  are 
blind.  There  is  a desire  among  the  people  for  higher  educa  - 
tion,  but  I could  net  see  that  they  had  accomplished  as  much 
as  they  might  for  their  fellows  v^ithoufc  sight. 

l&dras  received  us  with  open  arms.  By  the  way,  Nilla,  it 
is  wonderfiil  how  the  people  v/elcome  us  everywhere,  .'.'hen  we 
arrive  at  an  airport  or  at  a meeting,  I :im  fairly  weighed 


dcvm  with  artistically  rcimea  garlands  or  petals  cttiled  rrcm 
flcwexs  such  as  roses,  tuDercses,  jasmines  or  temple  dIcsO* 
scms,  and  you  can  imagine  hvw  rich  they  were  xn  iragrance 
and  color.  In  one  place  I ived  a garland  c|  spices J I 
never  saw  such  flcral  ingenur«y  even  in  liiwaii.  And  oh,  the 
tributes,  some  very  bea'utiiui,  rom  the  speakers  and  the 
gilts,  both  touching  ana  em^^iiassing J 

.As  usual  Polly  does 

not  repeat  to  me  the  warm  worus  spoken  o±'  her.  prom  her  feel- 
ings you  can  picture  ny  o\m  listening  to  laary  speeches  about 
nyselr.  But  occasionally  tncre  have  been  splendid  comments 
on  Teacher  showing  true  insignt  into  her  ability  to  endow  me 
as  it  were  with  senses  to  see  through  darkness  without  eyes, 
hear  througii  silence  witnouo  caxS  and  speaK.  ny  message  to  the 
v/orld  With  aerective  speoch,  now  anxiously  I am  awaiting  the 
publication  of  ny  now  book  tiio-o,  I hope,  may  bring  home  to 


its  readers  the  meaning  cf  that  achievement i 

V/e  liked  Lfedras.  It  is  a clean,  progressive  city  with 
what  seems  to  me  an  outstanding  record  of  effective  work  for 
the  blind  and  the  deaf,  ".'e  stayed  for  a v/eek  at  Raj  Shaven, 
a delightful  place  which  is  decidedly  English  in  its  combin- 
ation of  garden,  deer  park  (the  animals  are  white)  and  fo- 
rest. Cur  host,  Els  Sbccellency  uovemor  Parakas,  called  on 
us  every  day  and  showered  upon  us  all  sorts  of  kindness  and 
considerateness.  It  v/as  a genuxne  pleasure  for  me  to  dis- 
cuss with  such  a wise,  cultivated  voaxi  Indian  philosophy, 

(he  is  a theosophist^  the  ricnes  of  iiliglish  and  Irish  litera- 
ture from  which  he  kept  quoting  and  the  v/onders  of  nature  iu 
India,  on  which  he  discoursea  most  eloquently.  He  gave  a 
great  garden  party  for  us  where  1 addressed  a meeting  of  the 
Guild  of  Social  Service  on  the  conservation  of  sight.  Their 
response  was  gratifying,  and  uhe  Governor  v/as  a noble  ally. 


He  really  has  done  a great  deal  to  help  the  blind,  the  deaf 
and  other  unfortunate  groups  of  huimnityThis  would  indeed  be 
a happier  world  if  there  were  statesmen  like  Governor  Para 
kas  everywhere  gifted  udth  intelligent  sympathy  and  right 
help  to  the  handicapped  and  the  suffering. 

Te  worked  hard  in  Madra  , .^ut  the  peace  of  Raj  Shaven 
scothed  us,  and  the  fragrance,  irom  the  garden  and  the 
mingled  cries  from  the  forest  were  a source  of  fascination 
to  me.  Through  His  Excellency ’s  thoughtfulness  it  v/as  pos 
sibie  for  es  to  get  a week 's  rest  at  TTooti  up  in  the  moun 
tains  where  he  spends  his  sum.'  s.  The  main  house  where  he 
stays  is  very  handsome  and  crcwded  with  hxstoric  associa 
ticns.  If  its  walls  could  on'y  speak,  v/hat  fearful  tales 
they  would  tell  of  flagrant  robbery  and  oppression  of  India! 
But  it  is  also  a monument  to  all  that  was  finest  and  most 
beneficent  in  the  British  regime.  Te  were  happy  at  Uooti, 


surrounded  by  noble  trees  and  delectable  mountain  breezes, 
and  the  Governor’s  household  was  most  friendly  and  hospit 
able,  v.'hen  v/e  stopped  at  the  airport  in  iiidras  on  our  way 
to  Ca-lcirtta,  the  dear  old  Governor  met  us,  although  he  had 
difficulty  in  wa;king,  and  was  suffering  much  pain,  7/e  sat 
with  him  in  the  waiting  room  and  enjoyed  a wonderful  cup  of 
coffee,  brought  us  a great  bouquet  from  Rai  Shaven,  and 
I felt  his  tender  thoughts  foUovving  us  every  mile  to  Calcutta, 
T7e  had  protested  successfully  against  a too  heavy  sche 
dule  in  Calc’utta,  but  even  so  we  \7ilted  in  the  heat.  The 
temperature  was  a hundred  and  five.  -Je  did  not  like  the  city 
at  all,  except  for  the  kind  people  we  met  and  the  pleasant 
homes  we  glimpsed.  As  in  Bombay,  the  meetings  were  hold  in 
the  open  air.  The  school  for  the  blind  interested  me  espe 
cially  because  the  Shah  who  founded  it  understands  the  value 
of  publicity  in  -work  for  the  handicapped,  and  lack  of  pub 


blicity  is  one  of  the  great  obstacles  in  the  movements  for 
the  blind  and  the  deaf  of  India,  The  press  has  stood  by  me 
splendidly,  but  the  channels  of  information  are  not  yet 
sufficiently  wide  for  the  people  of  India  to  reach  down  and 
lilt  up  repressed  groups  like  the  blind  and  the  deaf  to  a 
fuller  and  more  normal  life.  How  I wish  there  were  more 
men  like  Helson  Neff  v/ho  grasp  the  significance  of  public 
relationsi 

One  morning  we  took  a arive  to  get  a good  lock  at  the 
city  from  6 to  8 A.  LI,  The  squalor,  wretchedness  and  filth 
v/e  saw  are  horrible J Of  course  I realize  that  th^  are 
partly  due  to  what  is  a blaspheny  to  call  "religion,"  and 
that  Nehru  and  his  associates  are  straining  every  nerve  to 
remove  that  reproach  to  civilization.  But  beliefs  that  sanc- 
tion such  misery  are  a disgrace  to  the  human  conscience  and 
a blot  on  Xhe  history  of  man's  progress.  To  saw  multitudes 


sleeping  on  the  pavements,  pitiful,  seeming  forms  of  child  - 
hood  every\-.-here  and  "sacred"  cows  feeding  out  of  overturned 


garbage  cans.  In  places  the  smells  were  beyond  endurance. 

~:e  saw  crowds  xts  bathing  ..xth  their  saris  on.  '.e  came  to 
,b  &BJaiffCSCs^aEL'Ea^  viJSece  itiieL  ta^menKteus  ,<tm!dcaati33i’«Ji 
Calcutta  and  all  of  India  have  unerttaken  to  eliminate  pri 

attended  a reception  by  the  omen's  Committee  on  Child 
elfare.  ,fehru  was  tne  chairman.  i spoke  brxefly  on 

the  dutxes  Of  the  Committee  to  Irxndicapped  children.  They 
received  what  I said  warmly. 

real  power  for  good  in  the 


met  many  fine  women  who  are  a 
Ci-y.  To  ujy  happy  surprise  I v/as 


"The  Destiny  of  India  " t 

C fC  Civ.  Eu.  LSQj\  Ti(U  ^ Ql^u  1t  ^iZ^S. 

c 


rip  f"'?*  ? 

’ rv  > 

r?~^  C 
^ 5 V 


he  told  me  about  the  arrangv-ment s he  had  made  for  Polly’s 
and  ny  visit  to  the  Taj  L&hal.  Another  dream  had  come  true 
for  me  through  his  goodnessj  in  the  afternoon  of  the  8th  ue 
flew  to  Agra,  a distance  of  l2u  miles,  and  after  supper  we 
drove  out  to  the  Taj  LEihal.  The  moon  v/as  full,  and  Polly 
said  its  effect  was  magnificent  ueyond  words.  Of  course  I 
could  not  see  its  "frozen  musxc"  sifting  softly  through  the 
open  doors  and  apertures  in  th  walls,  but  as  I passed  uy 
hand  over  the  amazing  design^,  onstauitly  varying  curves  and 
symbolic  figures,  their  uneaxtiiiy  beauty  tingled  my  fingers 
as  it  were  with  flame J I coula  not  imagine  a nobler  monu- 
ment to  the  blessings  of  manl  ge  love.  In  the  grief  which 
the  Taj  Iv&hal  embodies  I felt  at  its  heart  the  ever  surging 
life  of  the  generations,  and  I w is  thrilled  by  a prophetic 
surmise  that  a new  race  of  vx  orous  men  and  women  would  sweep 


< 


.'SI 


nized  as  capable  of  accomplishing  something  worth  while  ijn 
normal  life. 

In  your  letter  of  February  2lst  to  Polly  you  speak  of 

vN. 

the  ^additional  burdens  that  people  try  to  lay  upon  you." 
Really  there  are  some  who  try  to  give  us  the  right  kind  of 
relaxation.  It  was  through  the  gracious  considerateness  of 
His  Highness  Shree  Singh,  v/hom  we  met  in  Delhi,  that  we  spent 
a peaceful  week  up  at  his  giuest  house,  Chashmashahi  Ikjuse, 
Srinagar.  ',7e  flew  up  to  Kashmir  on  the  lith,  and  oh,  Hella, 
the  supreme  grandeur  and  awfulness  of  the  snow  capped  Hima  - 
layas  as  v/e  shot  past  them  were  breath  taking j Afterwards, 
as  we  motored  from  the  airport  to  Srinagar,  we  loved  the  flood 
of  apple  blossoms  which  greeted  us,  the  sweet  grass,  the 
sheep  and  lambs  watched  over  by  well  trained  dogs  and  the 
sleek  cattle.  But  alasj  an  unkind  fairy  lay  in  ambush  for 
us.  I v/as  laid  up  with  a siege  of  bronchial  congestion  for 


five  days^nd  all  that  time  the  v/eather  conspired  to  roo  us 
of  the  pleasure  v/e  should  have  had  in  seeing  more  of  the 
mountains.  It  spat  out  rain  and  snow  and  gales,  and  the 
apple  crop  of  the  year  v/as  ruined.  But  apart  from  our  dis«- 
appointment  the  prince 's  household  were  most  kind  to  us,  and 
our  rest  was  a godsend.  There  is  a lovely  lake  in  front  of 
the  house,  and  v/hen  the  capricious  Himalayas  smiled  on  3atur, 
day  the  idth,  we  were  able  to  go  out  for  a little  sail  in  a 
boat  called  -Jichiliara, " and  have  a cup  of  xea  on  the  other 
shore.  The  next  day  we  returned  to  Delhi  to  xeep  our  engage - 
uent  at  H^toeene,  where  a convention  of  workers  lor  the  ulind 
IS  ueing  held. 

Last  ijondav  we  were  up  at  rive  and  on  our  -.vay  scon 
VTA.uK  u 

after  to  , which  is  in  the  mountains,  not  far  from 

Dehra  Irm  which  was  originally  estaolished  for  the  war 
blinded.  That  afterncon  I opened  a seminar  for  the  blind. 


the  first  or  its  kind  in  India.  3very  one  there  seemed  en- 
thusiastic about  the  seminar,  and  I am  sure  that  great  good 
will  come  of  its  activities.  I enclose  a newspaper  clipping 

aboixt  xt  whxch  may  interest  you.  ' 

OtA-t. 

’7e  spent  only  one  night  at  iluewrie,  the  hotel  was 
horrid,  and  the  altitude  was  too  much  for  Polly 's  olood 
pressure.  So  we  hurried  back  Tuesday,  and  here  we  are  pre- 
paring for  Pakistan  and  Burma. 

lUss  Loges 's  Braille  copy  of  ray  last  oook  reached  me 
while  we  were  in  l^sore.  I do  not  know,  Nella  dear,  how  I 
can  ever  thank  you  for  ail  your  advice  and  encouragement  con- 
cerning the  most  intimate  and  difficult  oook  I have  ever 
written, 

"That  Van  "jyck  says  about  ny  oook  sends  a warm  glow  to 
ny  heart.  Vith  him  I feel  that  it  is  "an  elegy  rather  than 
a trioute."  I could  not  write  it  anv  other  wav  and  tell  the 


truth  as  I saw  it,  but  I am  glad  that  he  thinks  it  "a  winning 
stoiy 

It  is  dear  of  Nancy  to  work  so  hard  lor  the  distrioution 
or  "The  Utaconquorud."  If  results  come  slowly,  I know  that 
she  will  do  her  best  to  carry  my  message  to  the  handicapped. 

It  grieves  me  that  "The  Dark  is  Light  Enough"  appears 
not  to  be  appreciated  in  America  as  it  should  be,  I love 
its  beautiful  language  and  rich  thoughts  and  the  wonderful 
way  Katharine  Cornell  interprets  them. 

How  much  I shall  have  to  catch  up  with  in  ny  reading 
about  India  before  I can  bring  order  out  of  the  chaos  of  ay 
many  in5)ressions  and  write  the  article  for  the  "Outlook  for 
the  BlindJ  I did  not  expect  to  travel  through  the  breadth 
and  length  of  India  as  I have,  and  although  this  letter  is 
long,  yert  I haven  told  you  half  ny  experiences. 

Our  love  and  thoughts  are  always  with  you  and  Keith,  and 


Bertha,  and  we  hope  that  we  shall  find  you  all  well  when  we 
see  you  again. 


Affectionately  your  friend, 


Imperial  Hotel,  New  I/Olhi, 
April  twenty  third,  l955. 


Dear  Nella, 


Oslo,  June  8,  1957 


What  a precious  soul  you  have  been,  writing  PolLy  and 
ne  letters  so  full  of  news  and  information!  As  I cabled  you, 

we  are  delifrhted  that  Miss  Ellis’  selections  from  the  Helen 

? 0 

Keller’S  books  have  pleased  you  and  Kathar/nCo  /,^ope  tlja't 

J ! 

much  eood  may  come  of  it.  si. 


CD 


We  are  sorry  that  the  manuscript  on  Drl  HoW^' has 


- c 


disappointed  you.  Perhaps  on  second  thoughts’^ it  may  be  revised, 
reduced  to  readable  proportions,  and  give  a more  useful- -btography 
of  one  of  the  most  interesting  characters  in  the  his4(^ry  of 
the  blind. 


We  came  to  Oslo  Friday  and  found  wonderful  roses  and  'sr 

carnations  awaiting  us  from  Kirsten  Flagstag.  Sunday  she 
entered  our  room  and  welcomedus  with  open  armt,  we  chattered 
and  drank  Champagne.  We  spoke  of  the  happy  evening  when  you, 
Polly  and  other  friends  gathered  around  her,  and  I listened 
with  my  fingers  to  her  rich  voice.  In  the  evening  we  attended 
her  rehearsal,  which  trilled  us  with  its  inspirational  power. 

The  freshness  and  beauty  of  "A  February  Morning"  reminded  Polly 
of  the  time  when  we  stopped  in  Prestwick,  and  saw  the  lambs 
P'ambolling  and  the  grass  putting  on  its  loveliest  creen,  on 
our  way  to  Glasgow  before  we  flew  to  India. 

This  has  been  a strenuous  but  wonderful  trip,  the  people 
of|Iceland  were  adorable,  despite  their  struggle  against  a 
terrific  climate  and  endless  warfare  against  the  difficulties 


of  the  soil.  Their  warm-hearted  interest  in  brightening  the 
lives  of  their  d^af  and  their  few  blind  children  and  other 
handicapped  groups  was  most  touching.  They  obey  the  commandment; 


AIR  MAIL 


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2 


"Bear  ye  one  another’s  "burdens".  We  fell  in  love  with  the 
people  of  Finland  we  met.  We  visited  only  Helsinki,  Am'bassador 
Hickerson  told  me  that  Helsinki  is  the  liveliest  city  in 
Scandinavia  and  certainly  we  were  constantly  on  the  go, 

7 

attending  receptions,  newspaper  interviews' and  other  functions. 

From  the  hotel  we  had  a fascinating  view  of  the  har"bor, 
and  of  the  boats  bringing  fish  to  the  market.^ every  morning. 

Our  visit  in  lovely  Lucerne  was  delightful.  The  alidianee 
of  the  Rotary  International  consisted  of  5.000  people.  It  was 
an  enthusiastic  gathering.  From  all  we  heard  they  were  pleased 
with  my  talk. 

The  people  were  wonderful,  showering  us  with  hospitable 
warmth,  the  only  afternoon  that  was  free  a lady  took  us  for  a ^ 
drive  in  the  mountains. 

Going  through  the  city  we  glimpsed  at  a covered  wooden 
bridge  and  some  old  towers.  Out  in  the  country  we  heard  the 
cow-bells,  and  from  the  mountain  top  we  had  a glorious  view 

of  Lake  Lucerne  under  a smiling  Spring  sky. 

When  we  took  the  plane  for  Stockholm  I was  surprised  with 
quite  an  ovation.  Several  prominen-^  citizens  shook  my  hand 
and  greeted  me  with  a poetic  outburst  of  eloquence,  and 
presented  me  with  an  armfull  of  carnations.  It  was  an 
exciting  opening  for  our  visit  to  Stockholm,  Our  week  the 
was  a perfect  whirl  of  engagements.  On  the  day  of  the 
public  meeting,  which  took  place  in  the  morning,  we  were 
expected  to.  inspect  not  only  the  fine  library  for  the  blind 
but  also  the  work-rooms  and  the  school-rooms,  and  attended 
a luncheon  given  in  my  honor  by  the  Minister  of  Social 
Welfare  and  other  members  of  the  government. 


Howeverp  there  was  a beautiful  quiet  experience  which 


3 


I shall  cherish  araone  my  outstanding  memories  of  Sif«den. 

Polly  and  I had  an  audience  with  King  Gustax  VI  Adolf 
and  his  beautiful  wife  (sister  of  Lord  Louis  Mountbatten) * 

They  receired  us  most  graciously,  and  his  Majesty,  who  ia, 

sincerely  interested  in  the  blind,  began  at  onfee'  to  discusa'^^t 

s - 

their  problems  with  an  imdefstanding  which  mai^  conr^aat- 

^ ^ , , 

ion  a refreshing  experience.  - a,  O r.  ^ 

Then  he  led  me  into  a room,  put  me  in  a chair  and  placed 


in  my  hands  one  choice  object  after  another  from  one  of"  the 
finest  Chinese  collections  in  the  world,  I know  how  ybu  would 
harefeasted  your  eyes  on  that  collection,  and  your  ears  on  his  „ 
descriptions  of  what  he  showed  me  --  exquisite  rases,  delicatiy 
carved  birds,  a reclining  ox,  an  article  of  jade  3.000  years  old, 
which  looked  somewhat  like  a small  ax,  and  was  held  by  the 
noblemen  as  a sign  of  reverence  before  the  Emperor, 

The  Helen  Keller  Film  was  shown  in  Stockholm,  and  the  people 
received  it  warmly.  The  people  of  Oslo  saw  it  too,  and  their 
enthusiastic  comments  appeared  in  the  newspapers, 

Oslo  is  a sweet  city,  the  hotel  is  near  the  sea,  and  the 
air  is  heavenly.  The  streets  are  lined  with  horse-chestnut 
trees  which  remind  me  of  Paris.  There  are  many  green  parks. 

The  press  which  interviewed  us  here  Friday  asked  the  most 


intelligent  questions  of  any  that  I have  heard  on  the  tour, 
and  it  was  a pleasure  to  answer  them.  Sunday  we  went  to  a 
service  in  the  Church  of  the  Deaf.  Ten  young  people  were 
confirmed.  The  mtisic  was  a joy,  and  the  deaf  seemed  really 
to  appreciate  it,  the  service  was  beautiful  and  I loved  the 


4.- 

earnest  way  in  which  the  young  cormunicants  accepted  their 
new  -responsibility  in  life. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  the 
Association  for  the  Blind  was  celebrated  and  two  mounted 
policemen  headed  a procession  and  Polly  and  I followed  in  an 
open  car  with  a martial  band  playing  behind  us.  Multitudes 
of  people  lined  the  streets,  and  many  hung''®u,t  of  their 
windows.  It  was  a herculean  task  for  me  ^.to  wave  to  them. 

Polly  and  I felt  like  a pair  of  bloody  fools, as  she  would 
say.  The  procession  lasted  half  an  hour.  Then  in  a/beautiful 
par>  10.000  people  gathered,  I spoke  a sentence  or  two, 
saluting  the  Association,  and  we  sat  a long  time  listening 
to  speeches  in  Norwegian,  of  course  we  did  not  understand. 
Luckily  Kirsten’s  voice  later  rested  us  after  that  ordeal. 

This  is  not  the  kind  of  a letter  I wanted  to  send  you, 
dear  Nella,  but  what  can  one  do  in  the  midst  of  interruptions, 
calls,  notes  that  demand  a prompt  answer,  and  practice  wit 
different  speeches? 

Piccy,  our  sweet  secre-'cary  from  Paris,  is  givi  S 
wonderful  help  in  all  kindf?  of  ways  and  we  can 

thankful  for  our  good  for-'cune  in  being  accompa 

Keith  and  yourself, 

With  Polly’s  and  my  fjiffection  to  Kei 


I am. 

Devotedly  yours. 


Oh,  Nella,  what  a tour2  Exhausting  in  the  e^rerae. 
Helen  being  received  Royally  every  ' 

The  Embassies  say  nev^  has  a 

received  with  such  fervor  or  with  such  appreciation. 


Love,  love,  love. 


I 


AIR  MAIL 


1 'I  ^ 7 

Plccy  is  a lamb,  I wish  you  could  meet  her.  She  is 
a bripht  ray  when  we  are  down  and  out. 

' L ’'  I -'i'^Icc  i ) c\A  Cl^_^  lU  ( < 


■ji  o^T' 


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f .tO:  ' 


I 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 

February  2?,  19 '?9 

Dearest  Nella, 

It  has  saddened  Polly  and  me  to  know  how  far 
from  well  you  have  been  all  these  weeks,  but  we  hope 
that  now  you  are  improving  steadily.  Do  take  the  best 
care  of  yourself  for  Keith's,  Polly's  and  my  sakes. 

We  were  sorry  not  to  have  a glimpse  of  you  on 
February  20th,  but  we  loved  yo\ir  thought  of  us  both. 

The  day  passed  most  pleasantly,  and  I am  sure  that  Polly 
will  be  her  old  self  by  June. 

Yes,  I shall  be  happy  to  have  the  whole  of 
Sandburg's  Lincoln  speech  before  Congress.  »v/hat  new 
expressions  of  America's  greatness  might  emerge  if  such 
powerful  speeches  v/ere  delivered  always  on  Lincoln's 
and  Washington's  birthdays. 

Please  thank  Keith  for  his  dear  letter  about 
your  painful  experience  and  his  big  attack  on  Ru.ssian 
technical  and  scientific  literature.  It  will  indeed  be 
exciting  to  hear  his  reports  of  discoveries  — and  sly 
stratagems  too  that  Russia  is  trying  to  conceal  from  us. 

What  a precious  guide  you  are  for  me  to  books 
of  delightl  I haven't  enjoyed  anything  more  than  "Ur  of 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


-2- 


the  Chaldees,"  your  excerpts  from  "In  An  Antique  Land," 
Platt's  "Our  Flowering  World,"  the  review  of  Pasternak's 
"T)r.  Zhivago,"  which  causes  me  to  feel  Teacher's  presence 
vividly,  and  Ruth  Carson's  fascinating  descriptions  of 
fish,  birds  and  beasts  in  the  sea  and  under  the  wind. 

You  are  the  first  to  tell  me  about  those  charming 
little  verses  called  haiku.  The  ones  you  copied  are  vio- 
lets of  thought  that  fill  my  mind  with  lovable  fragrance. 
That  haiku  is  a perfect  darling  — 

"The  shell  of  a cicada  — it  sang  itself 
utterly  away."  I hope  that  I may  read  many  more  some 
day.  I am  amazed  to  hear  of  the  million  haiku  that  are 
printed  each  year  beside  the  fifty  magazines  devoted  to 
the  subject.  How  glad  I am  that  the  haiku  is  being  cul- 
tivated in  America I 

Do  get  well  quickly  and  drop  in  to  see  us. 

With  Polly's  and  my  affection  to  you  both,  I am. 

Lovingly  your  friend. 


Helen 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 

Dear  Nella, 

You  were  a darling  to  have  the  introduction  to  Haiku 
and  Krutch's  "The  Great  Chain  of  Life”  transcribed  for  mel 
I have  enjoyed  the  warm,  Japaui-loving  account  of  the  Haiku 
development  and  the  inimitable  verses  immensely.  No  Nella, 

I dare  not  attempt  to  write  any  Haikus,  it  seems  to  ms  al- 
most a sacrilege.  They  quiver  with  a beauty  and  create  a 
special  atmosphere  that  belong  to  Nippon  as  exclusively  as 
the  rose-petal  and  the  violet's  fragrance  belong  to  the 
plants  that  bear  them.  I can  only  read  the  article  again 
fran  time  to  time  and  take  fresh  delight  in  original  verses 
sprung  from  Nippon  as  rare  blossoms  in  an  artistically  planted 
garden, 

I am  still  reading  "The  Great  Chain  of  Life"  with  ponder- 
ing fascination.  How  I should  love  to  view  Volvox  in  a beam  of 
light  through  the  microscope.  The  more  I learn  about  the  origins 
of  plants  and  animals,  the  more  excited  I become  over  the  length 
of  time  and  the  complexity  of  processes  that  have  gone  into  the 
creation  of  man, 

I am  sorry  you  were  disappointed  j.n  Van  Doren's  "Letters 
to  Mothers,"  but  I do  not  vjonder,  I haven't  read  or  heard  of 
anything  distinguished  on  the  subject,  except  a few  beautiful 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 

Page  -2- 

descriptions  by  men  and  women  fortimate  enough  to  have  un- 
usual mothers  with  a gift  of  responding  to  their  mental 
powers.  Especially  I remember  a tribute  to  his  mother  by 
Goethe  in  "Aus  meinem  Leben"  and  a tender  one  by  Stendhal, 

(His  mother  died  when  he  was  six  years  old,) 

With  much  interest  I am  going  through  passages  from 
Pasternak  about  Christianity  and  Judaism,  From  the  "Jewish 
Braille  Review"  I get  the  impression  that  the  Jews  are  not  as 
senile  religiously  as  they  once  were.  But  I give  three  cheers 
for  Jesus's  stimulating  message  to  all  men  of  growth  and  under- 
standing between  the  peoples, 

I hope  your  lun^eon  with  the  Gibsons  and  Anne  Bancroft 
will  be  as  fruitful  in  results  as  you  expect.  Never  did  I 
dream  that  a drama  could  be  divised  out  of  the  story  of  my  life. 
There  I Polly  is  out  on  the  balcony  waiting  for  me  to 
sit  with  her.  With  our  united  love  to  Keith  and  yourself, 

I am, 

Af f e ctionately, 

Helen 


April  30,  19^9 


GOJY 


Arean 

Vsaiport,  C*nn. 


O«iob«r  11,  1^60 


•ar  ^allAi 


X MU  mr*  sorry  than  weras  oan  axprsca  tbai 
X hovo  not  thankoa  you  for  tho  lottoro  you  havo  wrltton 
•nd  hod  r«i  in^o  DroXllo  for  •«  durlne  "Moy  aoetho.  Pot 
stron^o  •xrorla»o««  ho^o  oouroA  o*  to  think  r^ooply, 
without  coimool,  an<*  X imb  otill  trying  to  doeir'hor 
thoir  oieniflconoo.  Aftor  oil  tho  yooro  in  whieh  I hovo 
known  you,  it  is  won^orful  how  auoh  you  havo  coaounioatad 
to  tM  on  count looa  aubjocta,  and  I a«  srataful  In^'oad. 

1 approoiato  your  Xin<!noaB  in  wishine 
ra«aab«r  X‘olXy  in  your  vlil.  7h«ro  ia  ona  aantanca  in 
your  lattor  which  cauaaa  no  to  foal  that  you  ara  aiaiakan 
with  to  Toaohor,  r«  far  aa  X know,  nothing  haa  bran 

dona  concrataly  in  har  oanory.  Y'U  know  it  waa  aha  who 
euidad  ae  through  tha  difficuXtiaa  and  eoapXicationa  I not 
whan  I daeidod  to  caat  «y  Ufa  with  tha  Anarlean  foundation 
for  tha  I'XlBd.  Zt  waa  fron  har  wladoc  and  undaratandlnc 
of  tho  aiehtlaas  that  >olly  ^aioad  har  ability  to  c%rry 
on  our  aetivltlaa.  Vo  who  kt»aw  and  lo^od  folly  for  har 
apXondld,  tiraXaaa  offorta  will  aXwaya  honor  hor,  but  X 
eanoot  haXp  fooXinf  that  '='oaohor*a  ahora  in  ny  Foundation 
antarorlaa  waa  tha  oost  inporiant  part. 

r>o  aany  aneaaaaanta  ara  turnlnc  up  bafora  X 
go  aoutb,  X do  not  know  if  I can  aaa  you  un^iX  I con# 
hack  ao««  tiaa  in  tha  winlar. 

'1th  affacilonata  graatinga  to  you  and  Kaith, 

X an 


AS  always  your  friand. 


'Ignad;  Kalan  Kallar 


6,  Rue  L econte- de-Lisle 
Paris.  16' 

A UT . 55 -2 © 


oxy-  aue  to 

the  neeeesu, 

the  g,Mrous  Invitation  of  Israel  to  settle  In  the  land. 

Every  time  I thirik  of  lerapl  +Visa  t 

Israel,  the  loving  hospitality  and  courtesy 

of  the  feople  „111  snlle  upon  me.  They  were  generous  ulth  the  little 

they  had  to  give.  Per  InsWe,  I ™a  presented  hy  the  Blreotor  of  the 

Xeoish  Institute  for  the  Blind  ulth  a heautl^ly  hound  Blhl,  ado„ed 

»ith  silver  .oro™s,..  and  I reoelved  a h^dsome  metal  guide  dog  fro.  the 
blinded  ex-servicenen. 

K.  had  the  prlvlleg,  of  meeting  Ben  Burton  --  a titan  in  courage  and 

rtoion.  Gold.  Meyerson  who  Is  responsible  for  the  fine  roads  In  Israel, 

Itrs.  Helzm^u,.  the  rtf.  of  the  President  of  the  Republic,  (h.  m .t 

ne  time  we  called)  Ruth  Kluger,  whom  Jo  knew  and  admired,  and  who  went 

“1th  us  to  meetings,  she  is  a.ong  the  heroic  group  who  rescued  Jew. 

Ihom  imohau  and  ^chenwald  and  brought  them  illegally.,  to  Israel. 

how  It  IS  time  for  us  to  go  to  the  airport,  and  I must  stop.  Florence 

love.  We  have  done  our  best  to  divert  her  mind  from  her 
troubles  hut  i 

a one  can  touch  a sacred  sorrow  like  hers.  With 
Polly's  and  my  love  until  we  see  you,  I am. 

Affectionately  your  friend. 


1 


i 


T 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


December  29,  1941. 

Dearest  Nella, 

Your  Christmas  Remembrance  was  of  the  kind  I especially  love. 
Memories  of  other  Christmases  of  which  Teacher  and  you  were  part  chimed 
sweetly  in  my  heart  as  we  opened  the  package  by  the  fireside,  sur- 
rounded by  holly,  mistletoe,  fragrant  evergreens  and  red  candles. 

How  softly  and  cosily  the  scarf  nestled  into  my  hand  as  I drew  it  out 
of  the  wrapping  I It  will  feel  like  your  affection  warm  round  my  neck 
when  I face  the  snow  and  north-wind. 

Polly  was  never  prouder  in  her  life,  I am  sure,  than  she  is  now 
with  your  biography  of  Kipling.  She  can  hardly  wait  to  devour  its 
pages  until  her  hands  are  free  from  the  annual  picturesque  debris  left 
by  the  festivities.  Then  she  will  write  you  her  thanks. 

As  to  mine,  I have  more  to  thank  you  for  than  any  special  gift  — 
the  way  you  give  your  dear  self  the  year  round  in  counsel,  encourage- 
ment and  practical  guidance  to  us  both.  Sometimes,  missing  Teacher's 
presence  unbearably,  I murmur  like  Milton,  "Doth  Cod  day  labor  exact, 
light  denied?"  Then  I think  of  you,  and  my  serenity  is  restored. 

You  know  without  my  saying  it  that  our  last  Christmas  had  a sub- 
dued lustre.  But  I think  we  appreciated  it  more  than  the  gayer  ones 
vie  have  had.  All  of  us  upon  whom  good  fortune  has  smiled  can  now 
pause  to  count  some  of  our  innumerable  blessings,  and  I pray  that  many 
may  be  moved  to  save  them  for  coming  generations  who  will  find  them- 
selves in  a gray,  wrecked  world.  Then,  as  Winston  Churchill  said  at 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 


the  lighting  of  the  community  Christmas  tree  — only  then  can  children 
everywhere  be  sure  of  their  right  to  laughter  and  song  in  peaceful 
homes* 

Another  thought  which  sweetened  ray  Yule-tide  was  the  knowledge 
that  you,  Robert  and  other  dear  ones  would  be  foregathering  during  the 
holidays  and  storing  up  brightness  for  a dark  time.  Polly  looks  for- 
ward to  being  with  you  New  Year  Day,  and  I know  she,  too,  will  be  the 
better  for  a bit  of  sunshine  to  remember. 

Considering  1942  in  prospect  I recall  the  lines  you  brailled 
for  me: 


"whoe’er  can  know, 


As  the  long  days  go. 


That  To  Live  is  happy,  hath  found  his  Heaven." 


V/ith  this  New  Year  Greeting  I embrace  you. 


Af f ectionntfilv. 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


September  14,  1942. 

Nella,  what  a darlinr  you  arel  The  su'Testions  you  .Ta.de  for  the 
article  were  splendid,  and  imparted  to  it  the  straight- froi’^-the-shoulder 
quality  I wanted  for  such  a large  audience. 

The  trouble  was,  there  were  so  many  different  ways  to  approach  the 
subject,  and  conceitedly  I ^ried  to  reach  a variety  of  groups  at  once  — 
the  spiritual  who  are  not  sufficiently  aware  that  faith  is  a hi.gher  mili 
tancy,  the  slow  reader,  the  ’’sunshine  patriot"  and  the  .man  on  the  street 
That  is  where  I fell  down,  not  skilfully  applying  the  practical  maxim» 
"Pe  all  things  with  all  men,  so  that  ye  may  win  some."  However,  you 
showed  me  how  to  send  the  arrow  to  its  mark  s.ithout  over-weighing  its  aim 
or  its  probable  effect.  Thank  you  enormously.  I delayed  this  note  a 
day  or  two  thinking  I might  hear  from  "Missy,"  but  she  has  not  written 
yet,  and  I do  not  want  any  more  time  to  pass  without  your  knowing  of 
my  appreciation. 

Judging  from  your  letters,  the  summer  seems  to  have  been  a crop 
yielding  min_led  seed  — peace  on  ’’’css  ’'cuntain  and  anxiety  about  Keith' 
father.  Hut  T know  the  benefit  he  and  Mrs.  Henney  gained  from  their 
holiday  makes  your  leisure  to  vrite  all  the  more  gratifying. 

T hope  Paniel  '"ebster  has  proved  as  stimulating  as  you  expected. 
Your  stirring  ’-.-ords  about  his  genuine  love  of  country  will  be  a rebuke 
to  the  "new  isolationists’’  -whom  ’^r.  MqcLeish  riddles  so  mercilessly  v.-ith 
t'ne  bullets  of  his  scorn.  I hope  you  heard  his  broadcast  yesterday  "" 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


a noble  tribute  to  '’ritain  --  and  that  it  will  help  put  a quietus  to 
the  anti-British  propaganda. 

The  "Teacher"  biography  has  jrown  to  such  bulk  that  I need  inner 
strength  to  tackle  it  equal  to  Charles  Atlas's  megnificent  muscle” 
pitting  feats.  The  prospect  of  copying  that  Eraille  mass,  much  of  it 
erased  and  corrected  almost  to  illegibility,  focusing  my  humble  powers 
to  depict  a fascinating,  perverse,  lovable  personality,  and  then  over- 
hauling the  manuscript  again  for  still  happier  effects  is  about  as 
staggering  as  it  would  be  to  keep  a pet  mastodon  and  load  him  cut  to 
pasture  each  morning.  However,  I am  encouraged  by  a feelinu'  that  the 
verst  is  over,  and  I can  pull  along  until  I dare  once  more  to  show 
you  what  T have  w/ritten. 

Tco  bad 'about  the  dry  weather  on  "^oss  fountain.  Te  have  had 
plenty  of  rain.  Cur  roses  have  almost  overrun  us  with  their  fragrant 
loveliness.  The  grass  and  weeds  have  taxed  Folly  and  me  to  the  utmost 
to  keep  them  down,  ""hp  trees  have  grown  enougli  to  cast  larger  sha- 
dows over  the  lavn.  How  the  Jewel-like  'uarberries,  the  bitter-sweet* 
the  ivy  and  crimson  swamp  maples  make  us  almost  wild  wiUi  delight.  I 
hope  you  may  drop  in  here  during,  October  in  time  to  see  some  of  the 
glory.  You  will  hardly  reco^^nize  the  place,  it  looks  and  smells  as 
if  we  had  tended  and  loved  it  ten  years  instead  of  just  three. 

Cvdng  to  the  o,\aclions  of  the  biography,  T have  put  a curb  on 
my  hospitable  feelings,  but  occasionally  we  see  Stuart  and  Sandra 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


Oruuiui.on  gnd  jieat  intex-estin/  peoplft  at  thair  house.  Cne  day  it  v.as  a 
^^rcup  of  deli;;htful,  hi-hly  cultivated  Chinese  — Mr.  and  Mre.  Soon^> 
connected  with  reconstruction  work  for  China,  and  ’’’rs.  Chu,  the  vife 
of  General  Chu,  who  is  staying  in  ’ashington.  I v.^-S  iaipressed  by  her 
unique  personality,  brilliajit  mind  and  political  vision. 

Another  afternoon  we  met  Hr.  "Cstrada,  a „ell  known  "riter  from 
Argentine, Comet ime  I will  let  you  see  a beautiful  letter  he  wrote  to 
'"tuart  about  "The  '.'orld  I Live  Tn."  (l  had  sent  hLu  a copy.)  He  wants 
to  translate  that  bock  into  Spanish,  and  I have  written  to  the  Century 
Company  begging  them  to  grant  his  request.  It  seems  strange,  doesn't  it, 
that  a wash  should  be  expressed  to  translate  "The  Story  of  Hy  Life"  and 
"The  Torld  I Live  Tn"  now  after  forty  years.  I am  i'.roud  to  have  the 
friendship  of  a man  like  Hr.  Tstrada,  so  gifted  with  discerning  sympa- 
thy and  poetic,  sensibility.  He  is  the  author  of  "L>j.  Hadiograffa  d ’A.r- 
^entine"  which  T believe  is  a courageous,  enlightening  book.  If  there 
•.vere  only  'nany  more  _enerously  disposed  South  Afuericans  of  his  type, 
it  v.ould  not  take  long  for  all  the  Americas  to  unite  in  fraternal  coope- 
ration. I almost  forgot  to  tell  you,  Hr.  Cstrada  says  that  he  will 
give  whatever  profit  he  may  have  from  the  translation  to  the  blind  of 
■Argentine. 

Recently  Igor  Sikorsky  and  his  vife  spent  an  evening  with  us  for 
the  second  time,  ""e  had  an  informal  sui  ji-^r  out  on  the  terrace  to  which 
we  invited  Mr.  and  I'rs.  C.  .A.  Pfeiffer,  Prof,  and  *'rs.  Robert  Pfaffer, 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


the  '^•ruiiiraons  and  othar  friends  who  ve  knew  would  be  thrilled  to  hear 
about  the  helicopter.  Mr.  Sikorsky  kindly  ^^ave  a talk  which  every  one 
enjoyed.  He  said  the  lovernment  is  taking  the  helicopter  seriously  for 
military  purposes,  it  is  so  lij;ht,  manoeuverable,  safe,  easy  to  master. 
Its  potential  tasks  are  hard  to  enumerate  --  carrying  aid  and  comfort  to 
?Jazi-conquered  countries,  patrolling  sea  lanes,  protectinj;;  fighter 
planes,  speeding,  relief  to  the  v/ounded.  If  it  is  produced  in  vast  quan- 
tities, it  will  be  a factor  in  shortening;  the  '.Var.  Oh  dear  I there  is 
so  much  to  tell  you  that  a letter  can't  hold. 

Last  Saturday  we  had  Sir  Ian  and  Lady  'f^’raser  out  to  Arcan  Hid^e  for 
a cuj.'  of  tea.  They  had  lately  come  over  by  clipper  to  attend  confer- 
ences for  the  blind  in  Canada  and  the  United  States,  and  that  is  how  it 
happened  t’nat  they  had  a chance  to  call  on  us.  The  conversation  v;as 
breath-takin£,  cranimed  with  news  free  from  censorship.  The  Traser  home 
has  been  bombed  four  times.  Part  of  "St.  Dunstan's"  has  been  simply 
levelled  to  the  pround,  and  the  talking-book  machines  destroyed.  The 
beautiful  hospital  given  by  Lord  Huffield  for  eye  operations  was  demo- 
lished, but  it  has  been  rebuilt  in  a safer  locality.  You  will  hear  the 
rest  v/hen  we  see  you. 

I think  the  enclosed  letter  from  Hr.  Adams  will  interest  you. 

"'ith  best  love  to  you  both  in  which  Folly  joins,  I am. 
Affectionately  your  friend. 


H t 1.  t ri 


Nella  dear* 


As  always  you  are  a wise  counsellor  and  a wholesome  rebuker  of  egotism  crop- 
ping out  in  my  intense  championship  of  a long  espoused  cause.  I have  rewritten 
part  of  my  letter  to  Ur.  Wallace  with  your  suggestions  in  mind. 

And  you  did  not  lay  bare  my  whole  fault  either.  Reading  over  my  first  draft  I 
was  cross  with  myself  because  I had  been  so  stupid  as  to  rattle  On  and  on  about 
conspiracies  to  encircle  Soviet  Hussia  instead  of  striking  at  the  real  defect  of 
"Socialism  does  not  jibe  with  human  nature."  In  urging  a scholarly  attitude  I 
have  simply  expressed  the  lessons  impressed  upon  me  by  great  historians  and  as 
far  as  our  frailties  permit  — unbiased  students  of  races  and  economic  upheavals* 
no  matter  what  their  politics*  creed  or  philosophy  may  be.  Still,  Nella*  I am  able 
to  say  I have  a firmer  grasp  upon  Socialist  experiments  and  theories  now  because 
an  ever  increasing  number  of  books  and  articles  from  new  angles  flows  under  my  fin- 
gers "The  People’s  Uarx"  which,  having  read  the  original  German,  I cai^vouch  for  as 
a masterly  rendering  of  his  teachings,  the  Dean  of  Canterbury’s  "Soviet  Russia," 
Stuart  Chase’s  "Mexico"  (written  from  the  angle  of  the  Mexican  village  commune) 
and  plenty  of  anti-Soviet  literature. 

The  enclosed  letter  is  in  the  spirit  of  all  I have  writ'^n  about  and  for 
Soviet  Russia  since  1917.  You  would  despise  me,  I know,  if  , even  to  avoid  dog- 
matism, I adopted  an  attitude  like  Max  Sastman,  who,  I happen  to  be  aware  from 
personal  data,  is  a renegade  without  courage. 

How  sorry  Polly  and  I were  to  hear  you  had  been  so  far  from  well I If  any- 
thing could  drive  away  your  bad  fairies,  we  were  sure  beautiful  Foes  Mountain  would. 
But  nothing  has  ever  downed  you,  and  perhaps  your  visit  to  Georgia  will  start  you 

fact  innate  Impatience  Polly  and  I await 

4c-.Tw  OJ  ■ CM  MutCt's '^c.t.rrLL^  y 
the  time  when  we  can  talk  over  everything  with  you. 


Lovingly, 

TU  L £,  n 


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taXjavasavju  alMoaooo  bn«  savin  lo  aJnabuJs  boHoidrtJ  — Xian#':  aaldliail  too  ao  aal 
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ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 


January  4,  1943- 

Oh  Nella,  what  a darling  you  arel  You  cannot  know  what  your 
Christ.'nas  "emembranre  meant  to  Polly  and  me.  It  could  have  been  thought 
of  only  by  a real  friend  who  remembers  the  outward  end  tangible  satis- 
factions as  well  as  the  inner  abundance  of  the  spirit.  It  wae  a de- 
light to  look  over  the  gifts  and  read  the  appetitizing  labels  on  the 
cans  — delectable  promises  of  a warm  chowder  dish  on  cold  days  like 
the  past  month.  Polly  and  I thank  you  in  v.ords,  but  a good  hug  would 
be  more  adequate  to  our  appi eciation. 

The  v/onderful  loving-kindness  you  and  other  friends  showed  us 
caused  my  eyes  to  grow  moist,  I was  so  emphatically  conscious  of  not 
deserving  it,  but  it  was  very  pleasant  just  the  same,  and  helped  me 
to  mu'fle  the  tolling  of  world  calamity  in  my  heart's  Christmas 
Carols.  It  was  an  unforgettable  scene  in  the  midst  of  which  we  sat 
on  the  floor  reading  cards,  cablegrams,  letters  and  opening  parcels. 

■^he  fire-place  was  festooned  with  ground-pine  and  little  silver 
bells,  the  sitting-room  was  gay  with  poinsettas,  one  of  them  a huge, 
blossom- laden  plant  from  f/r.  Pfeiffer,  candle-light  and  pine  boughs. 

'"e  spent  Christmas  afternoon  with  the  Crur.Lnons,  and  the  laughter 
of  their  little  boy  and  girl  made  me  feel  I was  a child  again,  "hile 
a big  jovial  Yule-log  caused  the  flame  to  laugh  lustily  up  the  chim- 
ney Ctuart  and  I settled  the  affairs  of  the  universe,  worrying  over 
the  unfortunate  effects  of  the  late  Cepublican  victories  and  the  I 
fear  deliberate  greeds  and  isolationism  in  the  United  States  that 
threaten  to  tamper  with  the  best  objectives  of  the  ”ar.  Then  ftuart 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 


read  me  Macaulay’s  arresting  exposition  oT  the  unbroken  supremacy  of 
the  "oman  Catholic  Church  among  Christians,  and  we  discussed  whether 
that  despotism  would  ever  be  crushed.  Stuart  saw  no  prospect  of  it, 

T expressed  confidence  in  Lisa  Sergio’s  assertion  that  it  is  already 
on  the  way  out.  Also  I recalled  how  my  first  Italian  teacher, 

Cr.  Ferreri,  had  told  me  that  his  nation  was  a people  of  commonsense, 
and  would  ultimately  disestablish  the  power  of  the  Vatican.  If  you 
could  have  been  there,  what  a spirited  exchange  of  ideas  you  two  would 
have  had  on  every  subject  under  the  sunt  After  the  intellectual 
hunger  I often  have  felt  since  Teacher’s  going  it  is  a priceless  bless- 
ing to  have  such  friends  pour  manna  into  my  desert  places. 

Having  you  and  Ann  with  us  multiplied  our  enjoyment  of  ”The  Three 
Sisters."  It  is  a memorable  experience  truly  for  us  to  have  witnessed 
together  the  gentle,  yet  potent  influence  Katharine  Cornell  and  Guth- 
rie McClintic  have  wielded  in  elevating  and  enriching  the  American 
drama. 

Ve  v/ere  troubled  to  hear  about  Ann’s  accident.  I hope  her  arm 
is  better  now.  Please  give  her  my  love. 

Looking  forward  to  the  day  when  Robert  will  do  the  honors  commis- 
sioning the  "Stockton,"  I am,  with  Folly’s  Kew  Year  blessings  to  you 
both,  and  with  a pat  for  the  much  suffering  convalescent  Remus, 

Affectionately  your  friend, 

n t Lfvi  Kt L 


Arcan  Ridge,  January  4,  1944. 

Dearest  Nella, 

How  sorry  we  are  about  your  illness  I It  is  a mean  shame  that  those  wicked 
flu  microbes  should  have  bombed  you  in  the  midst  of  the  holidays,  your  work 
and  everything  else.  V/e  are  thankful  for  your  recovery,  and  beg  yOu  with  all 
love's  importunity  to  conserve  your  strength.  It  is  hard,  I know,  v.'hen  you 
are  bursting  with  energy  and  a big  spirit  of  service,  but  you  are  too  precious 
to  Keith,  to  us  and  to  the  sick  patients  to  be  spared. 

I hope  my  silence  hasn't  left  you  to  think  I didn't  appreciate  your  darling 
Christmas  Remembrance.  Far  from  it!  I adore  that  dainty  flower  of  a Swiss 
handkerchief,  and  I love  still  more  the  love  it  embodies.  Inveterate  slowness 
in  handling  a deluge  of  Christmas  mail  is  my  only  excuse  for  not  having  thanked 
you  sooner. 

You  will  understand,  I am  sure,  how  the  tragic  world  atmosphere  saddened 
Christmas  Sve  for  Folly  and  me.  I couldn't  lift  the  cup  of  blessedness  to  my 
lips  and  forget  the  multitudes  of  children  to  whom  Christmas,  1943,  would  bring 
no  delightful  toys  or  chiming  bells  or  any  visible  signs  of  peace  and  carefree 
holidaying.  But  vie  tried  to  put  a brave  front  on  things,  and  were  "up  and  doing 
with  a heart  for  any  fate." 

Katharine  Cornell  --  how  like  her!  — started  us  happily  with  a telephone 
message  Christmas  morning.  VTe  had  dinner  with  Stuart  and  Sandra  Grummon  and 
their  adorable  children.  There  was  a fascinating  guest  beside  us.  Dr.  Chin,  a 
pro  tempore  professor  at  Harvard.  His  thoughtful  talk  interested  me  keenly. 

It  took  all  my  powers  to  keep  up  with  him  as  we  discussed  China's  colossal  pro- 
blems, Chinese  literature  and  education.  Generalissimo  Kai-shek,  the  effect  of 
public  opinion  upon  events  as  illustrated  in  Britain  and  the  United  States. 

Before  Christmas,  on  the  32nd,  Polly  and  I had  a memorable  visit  with  Jo 
and  Florence  Davidson  at  the  studio,  80  V/est  40th  Street,  New  York.  After  lunch 
I had  the  excitement  of  passing  my  hand  over  Jo's  latest  adventures  in  sculp- 
ture --  a wonderful  statue  of  Thoreau  which  corroborated  my  impressions  of  hi®, 
and  a breath-taking  bust  of  the  soldier  in  the  British  film  "Desert  Victory" 
who  v/as  ordered  to  fire,  and  whom  a terrible  fear  gripped  for  a second  before 


his  soul  leaped  equal  to  the  ordeal.  There  was  also  an  admirable  likeness  of 
K'adame  Chiang  in  whom  I thou,]ht  I detected  a blending  of  Madame  Recamier's 
rare  beauty  and  Clare  Luce's  unscrupulous,  cold  brilliancy. 


Folly  and  I can  hardly  wait  to  see  you  and  Robert,  there  is  no  end  to  what 
we  v.'ant  to  hear  and  to  discuss.  The  iniquities  of  the  present  Congress,  Irof. 
Salvemini's  revealing  article,  "Freedom  of  Religious  Worship  in  Italy,"  exposing 
the  stupidities  of  the  Barbara  n'ard's  splendid  article  on  the  critical  state 

of  mind  among  young  people  in  Britain,  the  heroism  of  the  Yugoslav  Patriots 
and  the  whirligigs  of  intrigue  and  demagogy  that  rise  like  dust  around  the  glo- 
bal conflict  cause  my  brain  to  reel  at  times,  but  1 continue  trying  to  think 
my  way  through  the  labyrinth  with  the  Ariadne  thread  of  faith  and  courage. 

Until  we  see  you,  Polly  and  I wish  you  and  Keith,  and  so  does  Herbert, 
a brave  New  Year,  restored  health  and  the  gladness  of  victory  for  humanity. 


Lovingly  your  friend 


Arcan  Ridge,  Westport, 

September  18,  1944. 

Dear  Nella, 

Your  letter  was  another  evidence  of  the  loyal  friendship  and  conscientious 
care  with  which  you  lead  me  to  weigh  my  public  acts  and  utterances  before  I commit 
them  irrevocably.  Just  to  make  sure  that  my  "wild,  strong  will"  does  not  run  a- 
way  with  me  and  overturn  the  chariot  of  the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind, 
which  drives  it  anyhow  out  of  harm's  path,  I have  again  examined  the  possible  con- 
sequences of  casting  my  vote  for  F.  D.  Roosevelt,  and  I shall  march  up  to  the 
cannon's  mouth  Just  the  same. 

Seriously,  Nella,  my  voting  for  Roosevelt  seems  to  me  no  worse  than  taking 
part  in  this  War  after  I had  been  a pacifist  from  my  youth  up.  I still  feel  like 
a deserter,  and  I know  that  the  conflict  began  as  a rankly  imperialistic  one, 
but  what  could  I do  when  it  appeared  to  develop  into  a peoples'  war  of  liberation? 

Oh  not  I do  not  mean  to  imply  that  I look  upon  Roosevelt  as  a leader  of  the 
masses.  As  I told  you  that  day  at  the  Harvard  Club,  I do  not  think  America  has 
had  a genuine  people's  president  since  Lincoln's  day,  and  the  people's  party 
does  not  yet  exist  which  would  command  my  allegiance.  Also  I realize  that  it 
is  impossible  for  even  the  greatest  statesman  or  one  nation  to  steer  a frenzied 
world  beating  itself  against  destitution,  rabid  nationalism  and  ignorance.  I 
am  voting  for  Roosevelt  because  I believe  he  is  sincere  in  advocating  comprehen- 
sive policies  for  international  cooperation  out  of  which  alone  a stable,  pro- 
gressive world  can  arise.  Reading  his  own  words,  "World  collaboration  must  be 
the  people’s  doing,"  I feel  that  he  recognizee  hie  limits  and  America’s,  and 
surely  it  does  take  a kind  of  greatness  to  make  such  an  admission  in  a cruelly 
slanderous  csunpaign. 

Besides,  despite  apparent  glaring  inconsistencies  in  his  attitude  towards 
the  people,  I am  sure  if  Roosevelt  is  reelected,  his  administration  will  con- 
tinue at  les^  tolerant  of  the  labor  movement  whose  steady  growth  is  essential 
to  America’s  higher  democracy  and  closer  union  with  other  countries. 

Yes,  this  seems  to  me  the  most  critical  period  in  human  history,  and  every 
bit  of  courage  and  decency  counts  in  grappling  with  it.  You  say  the  War  crisis 


2 


impresses  you  as  "having  been  a-brewing  for  twenty  years."  Isn't  that  true  of 
every  momentous  crisis?  It  has  grown  out  of  multitudinous  seeds  of  error,  stu- 
pidity and  misrule  until  we  realize  that  it  must  be  uprooted,  or  it  will 
strangle  civilization.  Anyway,  this  crisis  grips  me  with  the  necessity  of  help- 
ing to  quench  an  all-pervading  conflagration.  A bucketful  of  water  is  small, 
and  so  is  a vote,  yet  how  mighty  the  aggregate  of  votes  may  be  to  check  appalling 
fascist  influences  in  this  country,  carry  on  the  War  to  complete  victory  and 
extend  the  international  agreements  we  must  have  for  post-war  reconstruction. 

My  conscience  will  not  let  me  off  from  voting  so  long  as  I see  an  added  chance 
of  world  betterment  in  Roosevelt's  leadership  during  the  next  four  years. 

It  is  perfectly  true  that  my  work  'or  the  blind  is  a trust,  and  in  order  to 
fulfil  its  duties  justly  I must  keep  it  as  the  centre  of  my  external  activities. 

But  it  has  never  occupied  a centre  in  my  personality  or  inner  relations  with  man- 
kind. That  is  because  I regard  philanthropy  as  a tragic  apology  for  wrong  condi- 
tions under  which  human  beings  live,  losing  their  sight  or  hearing  or  becoming  im- 
poverished, and  I do  not  conceal  this  awkward  position  from  anybody.  One  can,  and 
does  dishonor  one's  trust  through  suave  compliance  quite  as  much  as  through  lack 
of  considerate  caution.  There  is  an  even  higher  trust  — to  keep  my  essential 
freedom  so  that  wherever  possible  I may  release  fettered  minds  and  imprisoned 
lives  among  the  blind,  let  alone  those  who  see. 

Vfhat  I am  going  to  say  is  not  connected  with  the  vote  or  the  blind,  but  it 
may  show  you  why  I agree  with  Emerson  that  "our  culture  . . . must  not  omit  the 
arming  of  the  man,  (but)  let  him  take  both  reputation  and  life  in  hie  hand,  and 
with  perfect  urbanity  dare  the  gibbet  and  the  mob  by  the  absolute  truth  of  his  speech 
and  the  rectitude  of  his  behavior."  Of  course  his  words  are  to  be  taken  symbolic- 
ally, as  those  extremes  come  to  few  outwardly,  but  millions  upon  millions  are  now 
facing  them  inwardly,  and  I bow  to  them  reverently.  They,  not  I,  have  become 
"world  figures,"  even  though  their  names  may  not  be  listed.  Because  they  suffer 
long  and  perish  rather  than  be  slavish  and  treacherous  under  one  tyranny  or  another, 
they  wake  faith  that  never  slumbers  again  and  nobility  which  we  too  easily  allow  to 
rust  within  us.  Once  those  multitudes  mostly  followed  a narrow,  peaceful  orbit, 
yet  they  tempered  their  characters  to  steel  trueness  by  exercising  simple,  high 
instincts  in  humble  duties.  Evan  so  I believe  in  firmly  retaining  sentiments  that 


3 


will  etr0n.<then  me  for  the  tumult  or  possible  criticism  by  others  in  pursuing  an 
unusual  path  I may  choose • 

l^et  week  Polly  and  I visited  Margaret  Sanger.  We  had  met  her  before  at  Joseph 
Lewis’s,  and  she  had  charmingly  invited  us  to  spend  the  night  with  her  in  her  home 
on  the  Hudson.  I had  wanted  to  know  her  for  many  years,  and  when  the  crisis  of  con- 
tact came,  her  warm,  rich  personality  justified  my  enthusiasm.  She  is  indeed  a truly 
great  soul.  Her  instructive  talk  confirms  my  ideal  as  I picture  her,  despite  impri- 
sonment and  calumny,  choosing  her  own  destiny  and  enabling  unnumbered  women  to  take 
independent  charge  of  their  lives  and  ensure  the  improved  health  and  joy  of  their 
children. 

Margaret  was  to  give  a birthday  dinner  in  memory  of  her  husband,  Ur.  Slee,  who 
had  died  a year  before,  Polly  and  I were  moved  that  she  should  include  us  in  an 
anniversary  so  sacred  to  her.  The  setting  in  which  we  celebrated  could  not  have  been 
more  satisfying.  The  house,  Willowlake,  was  given  Margaret  by  Mr.  Slee,  and  is  a 
replica  of  Shelley's  picturesque  Sussex  home.  The  stones  were  carefully  selected, 
and  the  glass-leaded  windows  were  brought  over  from  England.  The  grounds,  contain- 
ing a hundred  and  ten  acres,  beautifully  wooded,  slope  down  to  the  darling  lake 
from  which  the  place  gets  its  nsune. 

The  festive  ensemble  was  a delight  --  a cosy  fire  bringing  out  the  soft  colors 
of  the  stone  walls,  the  laughter  of  Margaret's  grandchildren  playing  from  room  to 
room,  the  tall  candles  and  rose  garlands  on  the  table.  As  we  ate  turkey  and  drank 
champagne  to  Margaret's  beloved  "departed  Guest,"  the  conversation  sped  from  one 
topic  to  another  — birth  control  and  the  powers  of  darkness  opposing  it,  dis- 
tinguished negro  writers,  artists  and  scientists,  the  pros  and  cons  of  voting  for 
P,  D.  Roosevelt.  Margaret  Sanger's  antagonism  towards  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
as  an  organized  despotism  was  plain  to  see,  and  I chimed  in  heartily,  though  pri- 
vately. That  is  one  of  the  perhaps  too  few  pies  into  which  I don't  put  my  finger, 
for  obvious  reasons.  I serve  the  blind  of  every  sect,  and  I have  a spiritual  mes- 
sage of  my  owrn  to  impart.  Besides,  I think  it  will  take  the  Catholics  themselves  to 
break  up  that  deadly  miasma  which  multiplies  ignorance  and  faith  without  reflection. 

I have  great  confidence  in  the  courage  of  men  and  women  like  Professor  Salvemini, 

Mr.  Estrada  of  Argentina,  whom  we  met  at  Stuart  Grummon's,  and  Constanzia  de  la 


4 


Mora  to  achieve  this  new  deliverance  for  western  peoples. 

The  following  day  Folly  and  I met  Margaret  and  Pearl  Buck  at  the  latter's  apart- 
ment on  Park  Avenue,  and  I had  my  picture  taken  ith  them.  A reporter  interviewed 
Pearl  Buck  who  talked  most  interestingly  about  the  East-West  Association  and  how  it 
provides  ways  for  orientals  and  occidentals  to  learn  about  each  other  and  bring  about 
a friendly  understanding  which  may  serve  as  a stepping-stone  to  world  peace,  you 
are  no  doubt  aware  of  one  reason  why  the  peoples  of  the  East  and  the  West  are 
hostile,  because  they  are  blinded  by  false  propaganda  and  the  prejudice  it  engen- 
ders. Here  is  another  subject  into  which  I long  to  put  my  finger,  but  I have  already 
more  interests  than  I can  squeeze  into  a working  day  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  hoursi 
and  you  know  how  the  "Teacher"  book  hangs  over  my  head  like  Damocles's  sword. 

Saturday  night  Bob  Irwin  telephoned  that  he  would  get  in  touch  right  away  with 
hospitals  I may  visit.  You  will  sense  what  an  element  of  uncertainty  such  a 
prospect  throws  into  one's  daily  program. 

Well,  the  weather  here  has  done  its  damnedest,  storming,  deluging,  disorgan- 
izing telephone  wires  and  laying  low  many  precious  trees  all  through  Westport. 

Arcan  Ridge  was  hard  hit  too.  Several  big  trees  were  broken  in  two,  and  we  were 
without  electricity  until  yesterday  afternoon.  Herbert  is  just  back  from  a 
richly  deserved  two  weeks  vacation,  and  I am  sorry  for  him  as  he  goes  over  the 
place,  the  extra  work  to  be  done  must  discourage  him  after  all  the  labor  and 
care  he  has  expended  upon  it.  He  feels  that  it  is  two  steps  forward  and  one 
back.  Still,  we  shall  manage,  as  we  usually  do.  I wonder  how  it  fared  with  you 
on  Foes  Mountain. 

There  is  more  to  tell,  but  it  will  keep  until  we  three  can  talk  again, 
and  I must  send  off  one  of  the  messages  for  the  handicapped  which  elect  to  inter- 
vene when  I am  greedy  to  buckle  down  to  the  book. 

With  Folly's  love,  and  hoping  that  your  father  suffers  less  now,  I am. 


Affectionately  your  friend. 


Helen.  Kellec 

Westport 

Connecticut 


January  12,  1946. 

Dear  Nella, 

■^^hat  a beautiful  thought  you  sent  to  sweeten 
our  Christmas  I 

The  handsome  silver  tray  caused  Folly  and  me  to 
give  an  excited  little  gasp  when  v/e  discovered  it 
under  the  tree  v.'hich  Herbert's  artistic  hands  had  de 
corated  for  us  wanderers.  The  symmetry  and  exqui- 
site smoothness  of  the  tray  start  tingles  in  my 
f ingei'-tips,  and  are  a delight  to  Polly's  searching 
eye.  But,  Nella,  as  we  sat  cosily  Christmas  morn- 
ing around  the  festive  table  bearing  the  tray  with 
coffee  and  Teacher's  Chamberlain  China,  the  dearest 
emotion  we  felt  was  stirred  by  che  love  that  had 
prompted  you  to  make  a home  with  us  for  a wedding- 
gift  associated  with  the  happiest  event  of  your  life 
Vi'e  shall  alv.'ays  cherish  it  as  your  treasure. 

You  make  me  glov/  with  your  approval  of  my  arti- 
cle on  hospital  visits.  That  too  is  a precious  bond 
for  it  commemorates  your  encouraging  me  in  a new  ad- 
venture which  I v.'ould  have  considered  any  one  mad  to 
prophesy.  Yes,  you  did  a "Coeur  de  Lion"  jaunt  in- 
ducing me  to  shoot  the  rapids  on  a powerful  river  of 
experience  I had  never  charted.  Seriously,  you  are 


Helen.  Kellec 

Westpoct 

C^ruaectient 


part  of  a magnificent  denouement  in  the  drama  begin- 
ning with  Teacher’s  drav/ing  me  out  of  the  rushes  of 
dark  silence  and  shaping  my  slow  speech  for  an  unknown 
mission.  Reverently  I take  the  oar,  "strong  in  will 
to  strive,  to  seek,  to  find,  and  not  to  yield"  until 
the  boat  anchors  in  Ood’s  Harbor. 

f'ith  eager  anticipations  of  our  foregathering 
with  you  and  Keith  next  "ednesday,  I am, 


ncrl  tr  trniir'  f*  r*  •?  aviH 


Arcun  Ridge,  estport,  September  22,  1946. 

De&r  Nella, 

The  summer  has  come  and  gone  bringing  us  your  welcome,  news-crammed 
letters,  and  nat  a ward  have  I written  you!  But  your  heart  tells  you,  I 
know,  that  you  are  never  far  from  my  thoughts,  and  I will  not  waste 
words  uselessly  trying  to  appease  my  scolding  conscience  with  apologies. 

First,  Folly  and  I thank  you  for  the  proud  joy  we  had  reading  the 
citation  in  honor  of  Robert  Braddy  for  his  fine  achievement  as  commander 
of  the  "Mansfield,"  his  high  strategic  skill  and  devotion  to  his  men. 
More  than  ever  I glow  at  the  memory  of  the  commissioning  of  the  "Mans- 
field" in  Boston.  I was  sura  then  that  Robert  would  grandly  cleave  his 
way  through  other  seas  of  difficulty,  and  I can  divine  his  satisfaction 
of  having  given  his  all  as  he  again  steers  his  course  in  home  waters. 

V'e  are  glad  you  are  at  last  getting  some  rest  in  the  health-giving 
aura  of  Foss  Mountain.  You  will,  I am  sure,  need  every  bit  of  that 
heavenly  ozone  to  keep  pace  with  the  exacting  tasks  and  rich  interests 
that  crowd  your  days  in  Garden  City.  We  can  hardly  wait  until  we  see 
you  on  October  5th,  and  hear  the  thoughts  v/ith  which  your  mind  is  evi- 
dently brimming  over,  and  cover  in  talk  distances  of  emotion  and  ex- 
perience that  outrun  epistolary  limits. 

How  happy  1 am  over  the  news  of  your  friend's  generosity  to  the 
handicapped  in  whose  release  my  own  freedom  is  blessed!  If  the  money 
is  allotted  to  my  work  for  the  deaf-blind,  it  will  be  as  dew  upon  my 
sore  tried  spirit  in  the  too  slew  process  of  drawing  one  of  the  last  and 
least  noticed  groups  whom  good-will  seeks  out  into  the  fold  of  human  fel 
lowship  and  restorative  self-help. 

Now  for  the  flight  to  Britain.  I cannot  say  the  prospect  elates  me 

It  will  moan  heartache  as  I sense  over  there  gusts  from  the  orld's 
distress,  famine,  hope  of  peace  deferred  and  international  discord. 

But  I fool  a deep  necessity  of  going.  The  American  Foundation  began 
early  this  year  a drive  through  the  Foundation  for  the  Overseas  Blind 
to  aid  the  destitute  sightless  of  Kurope,  and  I am  expected  to  make  fur- 


ther  appoals  on  their  behalf.  I receive  constantly  piteous  letters  from 
the  European  blind  begging  help,  and  by  going  te  England  and  Paris,  where 
the  headquarters  of  the  Foundation  for  the  Overseas  Blind  are,  I think  I 
can  gather  firsthand  informatien  which  1 must  have  in  order  to  lay  their 
desperate  needs  before  “.he  American  public  affectively  and  raise  funds 
for  their  relief. 

As  Felly  told  you,  we  are  flying  by  Pan-  American  Air-ways  to  London, 
October  16th,  and  later  to  Paris  where  I shall  no  doubt  obtain  valuable 
counsel  from  Mr.  Raverat,  who  is  in  charge  of  the  work  for  the  Blind  of 
Europe,  and  perhaps  meet  a number  of  the  war-blinded  servicemen.  We  do 
not  yet  know  what  our  program  in  London  will  be,  but  re  shall  probably 
visit  the  National  Institute  for  the  Blind  and  Et . Dunstan’s.  We  shall 
also  run  up  to  Scotland  to  see  our  friends  and  Polly’s  family,  to  whom  I 
am  bound  by  such  tender  remembrance  and  grateful  affection.  Our  return 
to  America  will  be  on  December  20th.  I imagine  it  will  be  another  pen- 
sive Christmas,  shadowed  by  a fuller  realization  of  the  wreckage,  human  and 
meral,  strewing  earth,  but  the  thoughts  it  evokes  will  surely  prove  the 
grass-roots  of  batter  service  to  others  and  happiness  in  driving  dark- 
ness further  back  everywhere. 

The  gathering  at  Danbury  to  urge  justice  to  negroes  of  Connecticut 
was  impressive.  Leslie  Carter  made  a splendid  speech  that  encouraged  mo 
mere  than  anything  I had  heard  or  read  on  negro  emancipation  for  a long 
time.  Another  able  man.  Rabbi  Molino,  spoke  eloquently.  It  was  sweet  to 
think  of  your  responsive  sympathy  when  I gave  my  little  talk,  which  seemed 
well  received.  To  my  delight  Marian  Anderson  was  in  the  audience,  and  I 
was  introduced  to  her.  We  all  had  supper  together  with  Stuart  and  Sandra 
Grummon.  There  was  no  opportunity  to  have  Marian's  moving  voice  vibrato 
in  my  fingers,  but  perhaps  there  will  be  if  Folly  and  I can  accept  her 
invitation  to  her  house  before  wo  leave. 

As  you  Can  easily  surmise,  what  I said  at  the  Danbury  meeting  was 
only  a sign  of  the  unquenchable  shame  I feel  over  the  situation  of  our 
colored  people  today.  This  revolt  has  never  slumbered  within  me  since  I 
began  to  notice  for  myself  how  they  are  degraded,  and  with  what  cold- 


blooded  deliberation  the  keys  of  knowledge,  self-reliance  and  veil  paid 
employment  are  taken  from  them,  sc  that  they  may  not  enter  the  gate  of 
social  competence.  I cannot  forget  my  humiliation  when  a colored  teacher 
of  high  culture  and  noble  dignity  who  called  on  me  at  a hotel  in  a 
Southern  city  was  ordered  into  the  freight  elevator.  It  stabs  me  to 
the  soul  to  recall  my  visits  to  schools  for  the  colored  blind  which 
ere  shockingly  backward,  and  what  a hard  struggle  it  was  for  them  to 
obtain  worth  while  instruction  and  profitable  work  because  of  race  pre- 
judice. The  continued  lynchings  and  other  crimes  against  negroes,  whe- 
ther in  New  England  or  the  South,  and  the  unspeakable  political  exponents 
of  white  supremacy,  according  to  all  recorded  history,  augur  ill  for  Ame- 
rica’s future. 

Then  I have  had  a glimpse  into  another  abyss  of  evil  learning  how  a 
police  officer  blinded  a colored  veteran,  reportedly  "in  self-defence," 

An  atrocity  of  such  an  ultimate  nature  is  not  only  an  impeachment  of  the 
inertia  through  which  it  occurs,  it  also  indicates  an  undercover  of 
moral  infection  by  traitors  to  Christianity  and  to  the  whole  democratic 
spirit  in  the  best  traditions  of  America  — a sinister  danger  of  our 
being  dragged  down  to  the  standards  of  the  Middle  Ages  when  torture  and 
mutilation  were  openly  practiced  and  legally  approved J 

No  sooner  had  1 heard  that  report  than  there  blazed  up  in  me  the 
concentrated  horror  and  fury  that  I experienced  as  a child  reading  in 
"King  Lear"  the  scenes  where  the  Duke  of  Cornwall  says  to  Gloucestor, 
"Upon  those  eyes  of  thine  I'll  set  my  foot. 


Out,  vile  jolly! 

Where  is  thy  lustre  now?" 

and  Gloucester  replies  to  the  crazed  King  when  asked  to  read  a challenge, 
"Were  all  thy  letters  suns,  I could  not  see." 

But  I cannot  bear  to  pursue  longer  the  similarity  between  Shakespeare's 
lightning  drama  and  the  diabolical  reality  at  Aiken,  North  Carolina. 
However,  I cannot  help  adding  that  the  rights  of  the  blind,  the  deaf 


and  other  handicapped  groups  are  invaded  wherever  brute  force  defies  the 
law  to  aiaim  a limb  or  put  out  an  eye,  then  calls  its  conduct  "self- 
defence." 

Friday  night  I was  stunned  by  the  radio  announcement  of  Henry 
Aallace's  forced  resignation  after  the  President  had  publicly  approved 
the  Madison  Square  Garden  speech,  and  professec  respect  for  the  right 
of  the  Secretary  of  Stats  to  express  his  views.  The  indignant  remarks 
of  various  commentators  bore  out  my  feelings  with  regard  to  the  Adminis- 
tration, which  has  never  given  ms  the  slightest  cause  to  renounce  my  ex- 
treme left-wing  views.  I have  long  suspected  that  both  the  Democratic 
and  the  Republican  parties,  backed  by  high  financiers  and  other  powerful 
vested  interests,  are  working  towards  imperialism,  and  now  the  proof 
glares  ms  in  the  face.  You  know  what  potential  explosions  that  trend 
contains.  The  American  people  including  myself  have,  I think,  been 
ignominously  slow  about  supporting  Wallace  in  his  strugale  to  check  the 
disgraceful  squabbles  between  the  supposed  Allies  and  restore  F.  D. 
Roosevelt's  magnanimous  foreign  policy  as  a counsellor  and  friend  of 
mankind.  True,  it  is  hard  for  a war-weary  generation  to  stand  on  guard 
against  those  whirlwinds  of  reaction,  but  vigilant  st sadf^^stness  is  our 
only  sure  citadel  from  which  we  can  break  the  force  of  their  onset . Now 
we  must  pay  for  our  weakness  of  the  flesh  by  facing  a worse  affliction. 
For  a protracted  season,  I fear,  the  dark  gods  whom  Alexander  the  Great, 
Genfrhis  Khan,  Hitler  and  Mussolini  invoked  will  again  try  to  break  open 
the  sanctuary  where  a new  humanity  is  being  moulded  to  spread  over  earth, 
renewing  an  outworn  social  order,  and  to  use  it  in  their  owr^ombat  for 
dominion.  Regardless  of  ^’ate's  warning,  "One  world  or  none,"  they  will 
bribe  some  with  the  slogan,  "victory  and  plenty!"  others  with  "plunder!" 
and  still  more  vith  "Race  superiority!"  while  they  lay  their  nets  to  cap- 
ture the  resources  multiplied  by  a thousand  years  that  science  and  inven- 
tion are  amassing  everywhere.  Yet  mightier  giants  will  appear  in  the 
earth  and  reach  out  rapacious  hands  unto  the  daughters  of  men.  Under  the 
circumstances  it  seems  blasphemy  to  talk  about  "making  sacrifices"  while 


the  ™.  Of  p.„.e  p„u„„.  „f  t,, 

.re  .round  „,  .,  th,  .peot.dl,  they  beheld  unroll,  before  „,  .. 

.uororo  dividing  the  people,  .,  booty,  prel.i,.  ,f  p,if  .„d  fe.r,  le.rp.d 
proetitutibg  sbiene.  to  d.vl,.  .till  de.dller  ...po„„  .u  „p 
.rr.yed  In  the  .plend.r  of  victory,  .p.ii,  torn  fro,  the  n.tion,.  .tore- 
houeee,  the  depth,  of  the  ...  .„d  the  very  .t.o.ph.re,  blood-red  with 
«yrl.d,  of  live.  ...ted  on  battle-field,,  in  persecution  .„d  f.„i„,. 

But  .„tr.g.d  .pint  .„d  nature  ,111  .„r.iy  r,....rt  the..,l,e.  .nd 
set  .right  the  plumb-line,  by  .hlch  alone  society.  .tructur,  can  be 
reared.  It  i.  „„t  f.ith  I i.ck,  it  i,  the  dl.tying  „,ar„e„  „f  the  pre- 
cipice, above  Which  nobilltle.  rise  that  appal,  ..  ,t  pc,„„,. 

*e  had  the  intervle.  .ith  the  representative  fro.  ..Coronet"  la.t  ,e,h. 
»o,  .he  .ant,  a colored  photograph  of  me  to  go  ,ith  the  article. 

Se  are  trying  to  e„  Jo  and  norenc.  David.on  after  their  return. 

It  i,  a relief  to  kno,  that  it  wa,  not  necetsar,  for  your  dear  mother 
to  have  an  operation.  I trust  she  keep,  ..  ..11  a.  can  be  eapected. 

about  the  trouble  Ann  had  over  transportation  facilities  when 
eh,  .a,  taking  Robert's  children  back  to  Seattle.  But  I kno.  .he  ... 
greatly  refreshed  by  her  holiday  with  you. 

Oh  dear:  the  "Teacher"  book  will  be  at  a standstill  .gain.  „o„ver,  a. 
Iphigenl.  .ays,  "Any  road  to  any  end  may  run."  .nd  in  some  way  past  hoping 
1 -ey  regain  undisturbed  leisure  f..  the  biography.  i ..  .ncn.„ted  by  the 
beauty  of  Euripides',  "Iphlgenla  in  Aulls."  »en  I 1„  college,  1 read 
voethe',  play  „n  the  ..me  .uoject,  and,  while  p.ymg  him  the  ..rmest  ho.»re, 

I consider  it  far  from  eou.l  to  Euriplde.'.  drama  in  the  coloring,  of  Creek 
life,  ritual  and  philosophy. 

Until  you,  end  Keith  al.o,  I hope,  I .ith  our  love  to  you 

both, 


Affectionately  your  friend, 


:0PY 


On  the  train  from  Hiroshima  to  Fukuoka, 
October  14,  1948 


Dearest  Nalla, 

• • • 

Now  I simply  must  tell  you  about  our  visit  to 
Hiroshima  jresterday.  We  are  still  aching  all  over  from  that 
piteous  experience--it  exceeds  in  horror  and  anguish  the 
accounts  I have  read.  Polly  and  I went  to  Hiroshima  with  Takeo 
Iwahashi  to  give  our  usual  appeal  meeting,  but  no  sooner  had  we 
arrived  than  the  bitter  irony  of  it  all  gripped  us  oyerpowering- 
, and  it  cost  us  a supreme  effort  to  speak.  As  you  know,  the 
city  was  literally  levelled  by  the  atomic  bomb,  but,  Nella,  its 
desolation,  irreplaceable  loss  and  mourning  can  be  realized 
only  by  those  who  are  on  the  spot.  Not  one  tall  building  is  left, 
and  v/hat  has  been,  rebuilt  is  temporary  and  put  up  in  haste. 
Instead  of  the  fair,  flourishing  city  we  saw  eleven  years  ago, 
there  is  only  life  struggling  dally,  hourly  against  a bare 
environment,  unsoftened  even  by  nature's  wizardry.  How  the 
people  Exist  through  summer  heat  and  winter  cold  is  a thought 
not  to  be  borne.  Jolting  over  what  had  once  been  paved  streets, 
we  visited  the  one  grave — all  ashes--where  about  8.30,  August 
6,  1945,  ninety  thousand  men,  women  and  children  were  Instantly 
killed,  and  a hundred  and  fifty  thousand  were  injured,  and  the 
rest  of  the  population  did  not  know  at  the  moment  what  an  ocean 
of  disaster  was  upon  them.  They  thought  that  the  two  planes-- 
when  they  bombed  they  always  came  in  numbers--v;ere  reconnoltering 
planes;  so  they  were  not  prepared  for  the  flash  of  light  that 


2 


brought  mass  death.  Aa  a result  of  that  inferno  two  hundred 
thousand  persons  are  now  dead,  and  the  suffering  caused  by 
atomic  burns  and  other  wounds  is  incalculable.  Polly  saw  burns 
on  the  face  of  the  welfare  offlcer--a  shocking  sight.  He  let 
me  touch  his  face,  and  the  rest  is  sllence--the  people  struggle 
on  and  say  nothing  about  their  lifelong  hurts.  We  saw  a memorial 
to  the  ninety  thousand  who  perl shed- -a  simple  wooden  shrine 
where  people  of  all  sects  lay  flowers,  and  the  ohintoists  place 
food,  wine  and  incense. 

And  it  was  to  those  people  that  I made  the  appeal I ^et, 
despite  the  consummate  barbarity  of  some  military  forces  of  my 
country  and  the  painful  wreckage  upon  the  survivors,  they 
listened  quietly  to  what  I had  to  say.  Their  affectionate  wel- 
come from  the  moment  I arrived  until  two  hours  la.ter,  when  we 
left  by  ferry  for  Mivajima,  v^ill  remain  in  mir  soul,  a holy 
memorv--and  a reproach. 

After  the  meeting  Polly  and  I went  to  the  City  Office,  and 
there  gifts  were  pourdd  upon  us  out  of  the  people's  destitution 
and  sorrow.  My  pain  made  me  almost  mute,  but  I managed  to  tell 
the  Governor,  the  ilaj'^or  and  other  representatives  of  the  v/elcomlng 
committee  that  a city  which  has  such  magnificent  will  to  give 
cannot  really  perish.  "Hiroshima  will  rise  mightier,  fairer  and 
more  thriving  than  before,"  I said,  "beca\jse  the  agelong,  dauntless 
courage  of  ^‘ippon  is  in  ’'■ou,  and  will  renew  your  deep  instincts 
of  home,  workmanship  and  civic  order.  "Vou  will  give  with  a 
higher  motive,  and  with  insigjot,  so  that  all  the  unfortunate  of 
your  may  be  helped,  and  the  capable  ones  may  take  their  places  as 
useful  members  of  the  community,  and  know  the  sweetness  of  God  a 


Gift  of  Life. 


3 


Folly  tried  to  convey  to  me  the  sadness  and  horror  in  the 
eyes  of  the  people  we  passed.  Only  the  children  smiled.  Altogether, 
Nella,  Hiroshima's  fate  is  a Greek  tragedy  on  a vast  scale,  not  a 
modern  one,  carrying;  with  it  the  burden  of  deliberate  wrong-doing 
or  the  far-seeing  moral  responsibility  that  inexorably  summons  our 
democracies  to  the  Bar  of  Jijdgment. 

’^rom  the  Gltv  Office  we  drove  out  to  the  Peace  Tower  in  what 
is  to  be  a memorial  park.  What  a tragic,  noble  symbol  the  Peace 
T’ower  is  of  new  ideals  and  aspirations  in  a people  trying  to  start 
life  afreshl  A few  years  ago  some  of  the  Japanese  people  really 
believed  that  they  were  destined  to  conquer  the  world  by  war  and 
to  change  the  v?orld  for  the  better.  Now  Hiroshima  has  experienced 
the  utter  futility  of  war,  as  General  MacArthur  told  me,  and  all 
Japan  is  reaching  up  to  a loftier  courage — that  of  peace.  Many 
people  stood  with  us  beside  the  Tower.  Their  unsmiling  silence 
seemed  to  call  for  a v;ord  of  comfort.  Ky  message  was  to  the  effect 
that  the  city  had  undergone  an  ordeal  of  fire,  but  the  unsubduable 
spirit  of  Nippon  was  strong  in  its  shattered  body,  and  by  adopting 
the  principles  and  practices  of  true  democracy  it  woijld  attain  a 
higher  greatness,  and  the  Tower  rising  before  us  above  the 
desolation  was  a challenging  evidence  that  Hiroshima  was  leading 
’■’Ippon  in  the  wa''’’  of  disarmament  and  good-will.  That  meant  that 
the  world,  stirred  by  such  a heroic  example,  would  take  a long 
stride  towards  lasting  peace,  and  then  indeed  Hiroshima's  tragedy 
would  become  a purification  of  its  soul  through  brotherhood.  I 
left  with  a conviction  that  the  splendor  of  a genuine  victory 
would  belong  to  Hiroshima,  not  to  America.  Today  I leai'n  with 
deep  humllltv  how  touched  the  people  of  Hiroshima  wer-e  by  my  few 
words,  and  as  a result  they  are  trying  to  put  up  a bell  on  the 


4 


Peace  Tower  which  will  ring  to  remind  the  city  of  its  new  mission. 

It  will  require  more-  time  than  I have  at  present  to  express 
rav  emotions  and  thoughts  on  the  subject  as  I want  to,  but  I 
believe  that  I have  written  you  the  truth  nearer  than  what  most, 
of  us  Americans  know.  Certainly  I am  raw  thinking  about  yesterday's 
events,  and  more  determined  than  ever  to  do  what  lies  in  my  power 
to  fight  against  the  demons  of  atomic  warfare  and  for  the  con- 
structive uses  of  atomic  energy. 

Kow  we  have  been  to  Nagasaki,  and  it  too  has  scorched  a 
deep  scar  in  my  soul.  Only  one-third  of  the  city  was  demolished, 
but  the  testimony  to  the  atrocities  of  atomic  combat  is  equally 
damning.  \le  saw  a monument  marking  the  spot  where  the  Bomb  fell. 

'lie  walked  through  the  mangled  corpse  of  one  of  Japan's  beneficent 
enterprises--the  medical  college  and  the  clinic  where  the  patients 
were  killed  by  the  bomb.  Some  of  the  buildings  are  being  partially 
repaired  an'^  the  hospital  restored,  but  the  wreckage  still  sends 
up  a its  dumb  accusation,  even  as  the  blood  of  the  righteous  Abel 
cried  unto  the  Lord. 

I shoulf  say  the  college  v;as  a fifteen  or  twent’f  minutes' 
drive  from  where  the  bomb  struck,  but  the  concussion  was  frightful. 
Although  the  buildings  which  were  of  stone  withstood  the  shock  in 
some  measure,  yet  everything  inside  had  been  swept  away.  I felt 
the  walls  bending  like  a reed  in  the  wind,  'tie  stumbled  over  ground 
cluttered  in  every  direction  with  foundation-stones,  timbers, 
broken  pipe-lines,  bits  of  machinery  and  twisted  girders.  I felt 
sure  that  I smelt  the  dust  from  the  burning  of  Nagasaki--the  smoke# 
of  death.  In  that  graveyard  of  a splendid  establishment  twenty- 
four  professors  lost  their  lives.  Surgeons  were  operating  at  the 


5 


time,  and  ths-^  and  their  patients  perished  together. 

We  shook  hands  with  two  professors  who  came  to  show  us 
around.  Also  we  met  a wonderful  scientist,  Mr.  Kagal,  who  is 
slowly  dvlng  from  atomic  radiation.  Yes,  ^ella,  Polly  saw  him 
dying  with  her  own  eyes,  and  was  almost  unable  to  speak  or  spell, 
’^et  out  of  his  lighted  face  smiled  a great,  gentle  spirit  as  he 
talked  with  us.  When  I said  to  him,  "How  you  inspire  us,  lifting 
your  soul  up  above  the  miseries  of  the  fleshl"  he  replied,  "My 
body  is  consuming  away,  but  I am  free  spiritually,  and  today, 
besides  being  happy,  I am  fairly  well  because  the  sun  is  warm 
and  pleasant."  With  that  towering  faith  in  God  and  a virile  mind 
he  is  writing  his  diary,  in  which  he  calmlv  notes  the  effects  of 
his  disease,  and  he  hopes  that  the  Journal  may  be  of  vital  service 
to  science  when  his  hand  can  no  longer  hold  the  pen.  He  is  not 
expected  to  be  alive  after  Christmas.  This  is  murder  lndeed--taking 
not  only  the  physical  life  of  a young  man,  but  also  the  potential 
work  wrapped  up  in  him  that  would  have  thrown  its  light  far  into 
the  future. 

Polly  savs  there  has  never  been  such  revolt  in  her  soul 

before,  and  life  vjIII  not  be  the  same  for  her  after  Hiroshima  and 

Nagasaki.  For  many  years  I have  sensed  profoundly  the  war-made 

wrongs  and  crookednesses  of  mankind,  but  now  it  is  more  than  a 

feeling,  it  is  concrete  knowledge  I h^ve  gained  and  a stern  resolve 

to  work  for  the  breaking  of  barbarism  and  the  fostering  of 

\ 

universal  peace. 

lovingly  vour  friend. 


Signed  Helen  Keller 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT.  CONN. 


Nell&  desLi’, 

This  is  to  hug  you  in  thought  and  to  say  hov  grieved 
vve  all  are  over  Keith's  suffering.  I knov  how  troubled 
and  anrious  you  must  feel,  and  how  gree.t  youi’  longing  to 
relieve  him.  V.lien  we  long  to  give  ease  to  those  we  love, 
it  is  hard  to  remember  that  tout  passe.  Put  for  Keith's 
ss-ke  you  will  be  courageous  and  look  forv.'erd  to  his  ul- 
timate recovery. 

Thanks  ever  so  much  for  your  SU:  gestions  to  improve 
my  article,  especially  et  a time  when  your  mind  must  have 
been  distraught. 

Ho^.'  good  the  big  sun  feels  on  ray  back  this  morning! 

I hops  it  is  bringing  comfort  to  you  too. 

Give  our  love  to  Keith,  and  receive  a warm  heart's 
blessing  from 


Your  devoted  friend. 


I 

L 


Arcan  Ridge, 

March  eighth,  1949. 


7111  SEMINOLE  AVENUE 


! 7 


FOREST  HI  LLS.  N EW  YORK 


Dearest  Nella, 

i'l'hen  one's  heart  is  overflowing  with  sweet  emotion,  written 
words  do  grow  cold,  but  I must  try  to  tell  you  in  soul  language, 
before  we  leave  this  noon,  that  your  Nest  of  Peace  is  twice  blest. 
It  blesses  you  who  put  us  into  it  for  six  weeks'  joy-gathering 
and  us  who  have  revelled  in  its  enfolding  hospitality. 

Every  day  here,  Nella,  has  been  an  idyll  of  freedom  both  in 
mind  and  body.  New  growths  of  thought,  courage  and  will  to  coj>- 
quer  have  ''  greened,"  as  the  German  phrase  has  it,  in  every  nook 
and  corner  of  ray  being.  I am  going  away  with  a tender  nostalgia 
for  the  life  I have  tasted  here  exempt  from  the  incessant  swarm- 
ing and  buzzing  of  the  huraan  hive,  but  also  with  gladness  that 
these  treasures  of  meditation,  dream  and  happy  simplicity  will 
be  stored  up  imperishably  in  ny  spirit. 

How  inundated  we  have  been  with  every  kind  of  beauty  every 

minute  on  Foss  Mountainl  Sunshine  bewitching  the  weeriness 

out  of  us.  — - Rains  that  gave  me  the  fairy  thrill  of  dripping 

like  the  wild-flowers  at  my  feet.  Unconfined  winds  annulling 

the  disparity  between  my  lagging  flesh  and  swift-flying  spirit- 
wings.  — - Polly's  fingers  actually  a-flutter  with  bird  glimpses 
and  songs,  her  arms  outstretched  in  eloquent  gestures  as  she 
watched  the  horizon  or  tried  to  picture  to  me  the  mountains  at 

sunset  or  when  the  lightning  illumined  them.  Herbert's  face 

radiating  health  and  zest  in  everything.  The  earth  atune 


V n I SEMINOl-E  AVENUE 
FOREST  Hll_l_S.NEW  YORK 


with  long  grasses  as  I roamed  and  the  white  pines  soughing 
over  me.  But  why  run  on  end  on?  I am  aware  that  every  charm 
of  this  retreat  is  mapped  on  your  heart,  I only  want  you  to 
know  the  boundless  wealth  of  the  gift  you  have  bestowed  u'-.on 
your  friends  of  many  joumeyinga  and  Ulyssean  labors. 

'<Vith  our  threefold  thanks,  and  with  affection  waiting  on 
the  threshold  to  greet  you  and  Keith,  we  are. 

Lovingly  and  reraemberingly. 


» 


Snov/ville, 

New  Hampshire, 

July  eleventh,  1958* 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


January  15 , 19  60 


Mrs.  Nella  Braddy  Henney 
111  5th  Street 

Garden  City,  Long  Island,  New  York 
Dear  Nella: 

Due  to  Polly's  illness  I have  decided  that  all  of  my  business 
affairs  should  be  handled  by  my  personal  trustees,  James 
S.  Adams,  Richard  H.  Migel,  and  Jansen  Noyes,  Jr. 

I therefore  desire  to  cancel  the  power  of  attorney  granted 
by  me  to  you  on  March  5,  1948. 

I am  deeply  grateful  to  you  for  all  you  have  done  to  help 
me  with  my  books  and  articles. 


Sincerely  yours 


Helen  Keller 


Witness 


Witness 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


Dear  Nella: 


October  11,  I960 


I am  more  sorry  than  words  can  express  that  I 
have  not  thanked  you  for  the  letters  you  have  vn'itten  and 
had  put  into  Braille  for  me  during  many  months.  But  strange 
experiences  have  caused  me  to  think  deeply,  i-.’ithout  counsel, 
and  I am  still  trying  to  decipher  their  significance.  After 
all  the  years  in  which  I have  known  you,  it  is  wonderful  how 
much  you  have  communicated  to  me  countless  subjects,  and  I 
am  grateful  indeed. 

I appreciate  your  kindness  in  wishing  to  remember 
Polly  in  your  will.  There  is  one  sentence  in  your  letter  vAiich 
causes  me  to  feel  that  you  are  mistaken  with  regard  to  Teacher. 
So  far  as  I know,  nothing  has  been  done  concretely  in  her 
memory.  You  know  it  was  she  who  guided  me  through  the  diffi- 
culties and  complications  I met  when  I decided  to  cast  ny 
life  with  the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind,  It  vras  from 
her  vrisdom  and  understanding  of  the  sightless  that  Polly  gained 
her  ability  to  carry  on  our  activities.  We  who  knew  and  loved 
Polly  for  her  splendid,  tireless  efforts  will  always  honor  her, 
but  I cannot  help  feeling  that  Teacher's  share  in  ny  Founda- 
tion enterprise  was  the  most  important  part. 

So  many  engagements  are  turning  up  before  I go 
south,  I do  not  know  if  I can  see  you  until  I come  back  some- 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


time  in  the  winter. 

With  affectionate  greetings  to  you  and  Keith, 


I am. 


As  always  your  friend. 


1 


HI 


-Cr 


►Hr 


-r  A 


A copy  or  a letter  'eacher  wrote  to  Irs.  Hopkins  a year  after  she 
ca-Tie  to  me.  John  thouf;ht  it  a very  yood  letter,  and  dictated  it  to  me, 
so  that  I mi.-ht  have  it  in  Jraille.  I think  the  original  v/as  in  the 
"box  of  letters  that  got  soaked  under  the  attic  roof. 


Tuscumhia,  Ala.,  T.Iarch  4,  1888 

Dear  Hrs.  Hopkins, 

It  was  a year  ago  yesterday  that  I arrived  in  Tuscumhia?  Did 
you  realize  it? 

How  forlorn  and  weary  I was  nobody,  not  even  you,  can  imagine. 

I reme.iber  how  the  conductor  on  the  train  from  Chattanooga  tried  to  com 
fort  me.  He  saw  that  I was  crying,  and  stopped  to  ask,  "Any  of  your 
folks  dead,  young  lady?"  His  -'oice  was  so  kind,  I could  not  help  tell- 
ing bim  a little  of  my  trouble,  and  he  did  his  best  to  cheer  me, 
assuring  me  that  I would  find  the  southern  people  most  kind  and  hos- 
pitable. '.’/hen  the  train  stopped  at  Tuscumhia,  the  thought  flashed 
through  my  mind,  "Here  I am  more  than  a thousand  miles  from  any  hirman 
being  I ever  saw  before  I"  But  somehow  I was  not  sorry  that  I had  come. 
I felt  that  the  future  held  something  good  for  me.  And  the  loneliness 
in  my  heart  was  an  old  acquaintance . Anyway,  I had  been  lonely  all  my 
life.  Hy  surroundings  only  were  to  be  different. 

■"he  first  person  who  spoke  to  me  as  I stepped  from  the  train  was 
Captain  Heller.  He  said  Hrs.  Keller  was  in  the  carriage  waitin'*  for 
me.  Then  she  spoke,  a great  weight  rolled  off  my  heart,  there  was  such 
sweetness  and  refinement  in  her  voice.  It  is  a wonder  how  much  of 

^f^ra^t,^T^^and  disposition  is  revealed  in  the  voice.  There  is  no 
d*'Ubt  in  my  mind  that/ ice  4g' a-.  tjwM^.^Tidex^^^character  than  the 
face.  Ib  learn  to  control  the  expression  of  our  features;  '^iit 
succeed  in  controlling  their  voices. 

1 thouf>:ht,  as  we  drove  to  my  nev/  home,  that  the  little  town  of 

Tuscumhia  was  more  like  a village  than  a town;  for  the  roads  there 

were  no  streets  were  lined  with  blossoming  fruit-trees,  and  the 


2 


plou,-hed  fields  smelt  rood.  I think  the  earthy  smell  is  the  best 

of  all  spring  odors  1 "Certainly,"  I said  to  myself,  "this  is  a 

good  time  and  a pleasant  place  to  begin  ray  life-work."  .Then  Urs.  Keller 
pointed  out  her  house  at  the  end  of  a long,  narrow  lane,  I became  so  exci 
excited  and  eager  to  see  my  little  pupil  that  I could  hardly  sit  still 
in  my  seat,  I felt  like  getting  out  and  pushing  the  horse  along  faster. 

I wondered  that  Mrs.  Keller  could  endure  such  a slow  beast.  I have  dis- 
covered since  that  all  things  move  slowly  in  the  South. 

Then  at  last  we  reached  the  house,  I ran  up  the  porch-steps,  and 
there  was  Helen  standing  by  the  porch-door,  one  hand  stretched  out, 
as  if  she  expected  some  one  to  come  in.  Her  little  face  wore  an  eager 
expression,  and  I noticed  that  her  body  was  well  formed  and  sturdy. 

?or  this  I vras  most  thankful.  I fid  not  mind  the  tumbled  hair,  the 

soiled  pinafore,  the  shoes  tied  with  white  strings  all  that  could 

be  remedied  in  time;  but  if  she  had  been  deformed,  or  had  acquired  any 
of  those  nervous  habits  that  so  of tenac company  blindness,  and  which 
make  an  assemblage  of  blind  people  such  a pitiful  sight,  how  much  harder 
it  would  have  been  for  me  1 I remember  how  disappointed  I was  when  the 
untamed  little  creature  stubbornly  refused  to  kiss  me,  and  struggled 
frantically  to  free  herself  from  my  embrace.  I remember,  too,  how  her 
ea.:er,  impetuous  fingers  felt  my  face  and  dress  and  my  bag  which  she 
insisted  on  opening  at  once,  showing  by  signs  that  she  expected  to  find 
somethin;'  good  to  eat  in  it.  Mrs.  Keller  tried  to  make  Helen  under- 
stand by  shaking  her  head  and  nointing  to  me  that  she  must  not  open  the 
bag,  but  the  child  paid  no  attention  to  these  signs,  whereupon  her 
mother  forcibly  took  the  bag  from  her.  Helen's  face  grew  red  to  the 
toots  of  her  hair,  and  she  began  to  clutch  at  her  mother's  dress  and 
kick  violently.  I took  her  liand  and  put  it  on  ray  little  watch  and 
shewed  her  that  by  pressing  the  spring  she  could  open  it.  She  was  in- 
terested inst.antly,  and  the  tempest  was  over.  Then  she  followed  me  up- 
stairs to  my  room,  and  she  helped  me  remove  my  thixx  hat,  which  she  put 
on  her  own  head,  tilting  it  from  side  to  side,  in  imlt.ation,  I learned 
afterwards,  of  her  Aunt  Hv.  'Then  the  hat  was  put  av/ay,  we  opened  my 
bar,  and  Helen  was  much  disa  'pointed  to  find  nothing  Tiut  toilet  arti- 


3 


cles  and  clothinr*  2he  put  her  hand  to  her  mouth  and  ehooh  her  head 
with  ever  ^renter  emphasis  as  she  neared  the  bottom  of  the  bag.  There 
was  a trunk  in  the  hall,  and  I led  Helen  to  it  and  by  using  her  si.^'ns 
tried  to  tell  her  that  I had  a trunk  like  it,  and  in  it  there  was  some- 
thin-'^  very  -ood  to  eat.  She  understood;  for  she  nut  both  her  hands  to 
her  mouth  and  went  throurh  the  motion  of  eating  something  she  liked  ex- 
tremal's then  pointed  to  the  trunk  and  to  me,  noddinv  emphatically, 
wh?ch  meant,  I suppose,  "I  understand  you  have  some  candy  in  your  trunk," 
and  she  ran  down-stairs  to  her  mother,  telling  her  by  the  same  sivns 
what  she  had  discovered.  This  was  ray  introduction  to  that  hit  of  my 
life,  out  there  on  the  piazza,  building  queer,  shaky  houses  out  of 
blocks . 

1 need  not  tell  you,  dear,  that  this  has  been  a hard  year;  but  I 
do  not  forget  the  many  pleasant  spots  in  it.  I have  lost  ray  patience 
and  courage  many,  many  times;  but  I have  found  that  one  difficult  task 
accomplished  makes  the  next  one  easier.  I^y  most  persistent  foe  is  that 
feeling  of  restlessness  that  takes  possession  of  me  sometimes.  It  over- 
flows ?av  soul  like  a tide,  and  there  is  no  escape  from  it.  It  is  more 
torturing  than  any  physical  pain  I have  ever  experienced.  I pray  con- 
stantly that  ny  love  -^or  this  dear  child  may  grow  so  large  and  satis- 
fying that  there  will  be  no  room  in  ray  heart  for  uneasiness  and  discon- 
^tent . 

And,  dear,  I am  glad  that  my  success  has  been  such  a ’"ratif ication 

to  you.  I thank  you  from  tlie  bottom  of  ray  heart  for  the  mother-love 

you  gave  me  'vhen  I was  a lonely,  troublesome  sch' ol -.'■irl  whose  tempers 

must  have  caused  you  no  end  of  anxiety.  It  is  a blessed  thing  to  know 

that  there  is  some  one  who  rejoices  with  us  when  v;e  are  glad,  and  who 

takes  pride  in  our  achievements.  I know  you  feared  that  my  quick  temper 

and  saucy  ton'^ue  would  make  trouble  for  le  here;  but  I rejoice  to  be 

able  to  tell  you  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  of  my  independence  that 

I have  lived  peaceePly  with  all  men,  except  'ncle  '’rank,  and  all  women 

t'lo.  'here  have  been  murder  and  treason  and  arson  in  my  heart;  but 

they  haven’t  ‘ot  out,  than’xs  to  the  sharpness  of  my  '..eeth,  which  ave 

o ten  at  'Od  nard  over  my  ton  ue.  The  a'ro  ance  of  tlieoe  southern 

— - - - - ■ - . — 


4 


would  think  they  had  won  every  battle  in  the  Civil  V/ar,  and  the  Yankees 
were  little  better  than  targets  for  them  to  shoot  at  I But  for  all 
that  they  are  uniformly  kind  and  courteous,  and  l shall  remember  with 
gratitude  as  long  as  I live  their  gentleness  and  forbearance  under  con- 
ditions that  tried  the  souls  of  all  concerned. 

Indeed,  I am  heartily  glad  that  I don't  know  all  that  is  being  said 
and  written  about  Helen  and  myself.  I assure  you,  I knovi/  quite  enou^i. 
Nearly  every  mail  brings  some  absurd  statement,  printed  or  v^ritten. 

The  truth  is  not  wonderful  enough  to  suit  the  newspapers,  so  they  en- 
large upon  it  and  invent  ridiculous  embellishments.  One  paper  has  Helen 
demonstrating  problems  in  geometry  by  means  of  her  playing-blocks.  I 
expect  to  hear  next  that  she  has  v/ritten  a treatise  on  the  origin  and 
future  of  the  planets  I 

We  received  a nice  letter  from  liorrison  Heady  the  other  day.  He 
sent  me  a glove  v/ith  the  letters  of  the  alphabet  printed  on  it  so  that 
they  correspond  v/ith  the  tips  and  joints  of  the  fingers.  This  glove 
makes  it  possible  for  any  one  who  can  spell  to  converse  with  the  deaf- 
blind  person  wearing  it.  I thought  the  idea  an  excellent  one,  and  im- 
mediately taught  Helen  to  use  the  glove.  I cut  out  the  letters  of  an 
alphabet  sheet  and  stuck  them  on  the  glove  so  that  she  could  feel  them 
and  learn  the  positions.  Then  I made  her  understand  that  if  she  remem- 
bered the  positions  of  the  letters,  she  v/ould  not  need  the  glove  at  all. 

Tuesday  morning. 

I did  not  have  a chance  to  finish  my  letter  yesterday.  Miss  Hv. 
cam.e  up  to  help  me  make  a list  of  the  words  Helen  has  learned.  We  have 
got  as  far  as  P,  and  there  are  nine  hundred  words  to  her  credit. 

I had  Helen  begin  a journal  March  1st.  I do  not  knov/  hov/  long  she 
will  keep  it  up.  It's  rather  stupid  business,  I think.  Just  now  she 
thinks  it  great  fun.  She  seems  to  like  to  tell  everything  she  knows. 

This  is  what  Helen  wrote  Sunday: 

"l  got  up,  washed  my  face  and  hands,  combed  my  hair,  picked  tliree 
dew-violets  for  Teacher  and  ate  my  breakfast.  After  breakfast  I played 
with  nry  dolls  a short  time.  Nancy  was  cross.  Cross  is  cry  and  kick. 

I read  in  my  books  about  large,  fierce  animals.  Fierce  is  much  cross 


5. 


and  strong  and  very  hungry.  I do  not  love  fierce  animals.  I wrote 
letter  to  Uncle  James.  He  lives  in  Hotsprings.  He  is  a doctor. 

Doctor  makes  sick  ones  well.  I do  not  like  sick.  Then  I ate  my  dinner. 
I like  much  ice  cream  very  much.  After  dinner  father  went  to  Birmingham 
on  train  far  away.  I had  letter  from  Robert.  He  loves  me.  He  said, 
"Dear  Helen,  Robert  was  glad  to  get  a letter  from  dear,  sweet  little 
Helen.  I will  come  to  see  you  v/hen  the  sun  shines."  Mrs.  Newsum  is 
Robert's  wife.  Robert  is  her  husband.  Robert  and  I will  run  and  jump 
and  hop  and  dance  and  swing  and  talk  about  birds  and  flowers  and  trees 
and  grass  and  Jumbo  and  Pearl  will  go  with  us.  Teacher  7/ill  say,  "V/e 
are  silly."  She  is  funny.  Funny  makes  us  lau^.  Natalie  is  a good 
girl  and  does  not  cry.  Mildred  does  cry.  She  'will  be  a nice  girl  in 

many  days  and.  run  and  play  with  me.  Mrs.  Graves  is  making  short  dresses 

for  Natalie.  Mr.  Mayo  went  to  Duckbill  and  brought  home  many  sweet 
flowers.  Jlr.  Mayo  and  Mr.  Parris  and  Mr.  Graves  do  love  me  and  Teacher. 

I am  going  to  Memphis  to  see  them  soon,  and  they  will  hug  and  kiss  me. 

Thornton  goes  to  school  and  gets  hiS'  face  very  dirty.  Boy  must  be  very 
careful.  After  supper  I played  romp  v/ith  Teacher  in  bed.  She  buried 
me  under  pillows  and  I grev/  very  slov/  like  tree  out  of  ground.  Nov/  I 
will  go  to  bed. 


Helen. 


00 


',Ve  are  all  looking-  forward  to  Mr.  Ana^noo'a  visit.  I have  not  yet  heard  frora  him 
about  hia  plans.  I hope,  however,  nothing  will  prevent  his  starting  on  IVednesday. 

The  box  came  all  right.  Helen  was  delighted  with  the  book  because  it  v(as  so 
large. 

I am  ijOing  to  send  you  some  ilowera  in  a law  days.  The  garden  is  full  of 
hyacinths  and  crocuses  and  jonquils. 

iiie  are  all  making  Ireyarations  lor  our  trip  north.  ue  shall  spend  a few  days 
in  Aasiiin^ton  and  possiuly  in  baltimore.  Oir  jlan  is  to  reach  boston  in  time  for 
tne  closing  exercises, 

I am  reading  whenever  I get  a chance  "innocence  Abroad."  Ot's  great  fun,  and 
rests  me.  Y/herever  you  open  the  book,  there's  a good  lau^,  and  next  to  slce-^-  a 
good  laugh  is  the  most  refreshing  thing  in  the  world. 

Last  week  Cajt.  Keller  had  several  gentlemen  to  dinner.  The  conversation  was 
as  usual  about  the  "late"  war.  This  is  one  of  the  stories  told  during  the  evening. 

If  it  is  trije,  some  of  our  idols  certainly  have  clay  feet. 

During  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  General  Grant  had  his  head-quarters  in  the  ceau- 
tiful  residence  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  wealthiest  fsuailies  of  the  3oth.  They  had 
packed  all  their  belongings,  intending  to  leave  the  city  if  it  fell  into  the  hands 
ol  the  latikees.  uut  somehow  they  did  not  hear  of  the  Yankee  victory  in  time  to 
make  tneir  escape  before  ueneral  Grant  and  his  officers  rode  up  to  their  house  and 
deioanded  its  surrender.  The  men  were  away;  but  the  ladies  received  them  courteous- 
ly, and  ordered  the  servants  to  unpack  the  silver  and  linen,  which  they  placed  at 
the  disposal  of  the  intruders.  The  family  then  moved  up-stairs  and  left  the  lower 
floor  to  their  unwelcome  guests.  General  Grant  and  his  O- fiesrs  repaid  their  cour- 

tesyafter  the  mainer  of  Yankees  they  carried  away  the  silver,  not  leaving  even 

a spoon,  and  everything  else  they  covild  lay  their  hands  on,  even  the  family  Bible, 
which  Major  P,  declared  he  saw  in  the  office  of  one  of  Grant's  oi fleers  years  af^er- 

wards.  Did  you  ever  hear  of  such  an  outrageous  breach  of  hospitality? 

/ 

Now,  dear,  I have  written  you  a very  long  letter.  I am  sorry  you  will  not 
^et  it  at  the  usual  time. 

govifigly  yours. 


I 


Annie  Sullivan. 


•.  A ^ 


J 


■ , ■■  ‘ 
L ^ ! tt-.  / /-  :.' 


« ./  . 


Dear  Mildred, 


'’orest  Hills,  June  9,  1933 

if  _ rf 


r 


/..  .• 


i (-.1 


•/  J /.*  ■ 1 ^ 

V ' • , f J 

u ■:  U oC^  J - , / 


I 


ITella  Henney  was  here  last  night,  and  we  discussed  her  life  of 
Teacher.  Me  talked  a good  deal  about  ray  family. 

At  the  outset  it  is  best  that  we  all  should  understand  the  cir- 
cumstances. Neither  Teacher  or  I are  responsible  for  anything  con- 
nected with  the  biography,  except  that  Teacher  most  reluctantly  gave  > — 
Mella  permission  to  write  it,  and  put  into  her  hands  whatever  material 
she  had.  It  was  represented  to  Teacher  that  if  Nella  did  not  write  ’ 
the  book,  somebody  else  would  do  it,  and  that  somebody  might  not  be  (XA 

•v 

kindly  disposed  towards  us.  Please  bear  in  mind,  Mildred,  that  we 

J 

have  had  nothing  to  do  with  Nella 's  handling  of  the  material.  The 
* 

book  is  entirely  hers,  and  we  shall  not  get  a dollar  of  income  from  it.' 

• In  your  letter  to  Nella  you  say  that  a wrong  impression  of  fa-  , iT - 
ther’s  circiirastances  has  got  abroad.  This  is  the  substance  of  what  p ; 
you  wrote  me  in  a Braille  letter  last  ?'arch:  ^ 

Yon  are  quoted  as  saying  in  "The  Story  of  My  Life"  that  father 


was  not  v;ell  off  before  he  died.  Many  people  in  this  part  of  the 
country  who  knev/  father  have  read  this  and  cornmented  on  it  because 


r 


r=' 


t- 


they  know  it  was  not  true,  but  so  long  as  it  could  not  be  helped,  ■ 

said  nothing.  But  novf  Mrs.  Kenney's  letter  has  come,  and  I feel  that'  _ 

'(  - 

the  time  has  come  to  speak. 


..o’.v,  in  View  or  the  facts  in  Hella’s  hands,  your  remarks  seem 
contradictory. 

You  know  it  is  a fact,  ;..ildred,  that  Teacher  never  received  a 
dollar^  OJ'  salary 

j.  . - 

tr  88 , ' r ^ ^ • 

Cccasi  ona^'y^Fg/  I^ie'rpdnT1?^r>aVr  BHSBIBBBC! 

erpont  i-orsan,  Mrs.  Alexander  Graham  Eeil, 

iir.  .7illiam  Yade  of  Oakinont  and  Miss  Annette  P t) 

, Anneae  P.  Hogers  of  Boston  con- 

ributed  when  an  emergency  arose  like  illness  or  a nr-P  • 

, , -Lxness  or  a pressing  need  for 

W to  an4;«e_a  . - - ■ ^ 

- the  apauldl^^r::;.  It  was  heeauTe  of 

in  me,  and  in  -eaoher  too.  that  IJr.  Spaulding  lent  father  fifteen 
thoueand  dollars.  But  later  the  heirs  .ere  rer.  susplolous  of  this 

loan,  fhey  declared  that  a i.n  does  not  lend  a stranger  fifteen  thou- 
sand  dollars  without  proper  securities. 

I-s.  Laurence  Hutton  hne.  that  L^r.  Spaulding  had  deposited  nine- 


2 


teen  thousand  dollars  in  a Boston  bank  for  Teacher  and  me  to  live  on 
while  we  were  at  the  VVright-Hiufiason  School  for  the  Deaf.  She  wrote 
to  the  heirs  asking  them  to  give  her  that  siira  to  put  into  the  fund 
she  was  raising  for  us.  At  first  they  flatly  refused,  they  said 
there  was  no  written  evidence  that  their  uncle  had  deposited  any 
such  sum  in  that  bank.  Hov;ever,  after  various  insulting  remarks  to 
the  effect  that  ,’eacher’s  charms  might  have  influenced  Ibheir  uncle 
to  make  the^  ditaiiiui they  sent  her  a check  for  seven  thousand  dollars, 
which  was  put  in  with  the  fund  for  my  education.  At  that  time  the 
heirs  thought  they  could  collect  the  money  father  owed  them  from 
his  estate.  This  did  not  happen. 

There  is  another  matter  which  is  on  record.  Mr.  Spaulding 
wanted  Teacher  and  me  to  go  abroad  one  summer,  and  she  said  she 
would  rather  have  a horse.  He  sent  her  a beautiful  Kentucky  saddle- 
horse  which  cost  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  horse  was 
killed  that  winter  by  the  railroad  in  Tuscurabia.  Father  collected 
damages,  but  did  not  pay  Teacher  I I had  never  heard  this  until  a 
recent  overhauling  of  documents  brought  it  out. 

For  many  years  the  people  who  made  it  possible  for  Teacher  and 
me  to  pay  our  expenses  and  do  our  work  were  very  critical  of  what 
they  termed  "the  outrageous  attitude”  of  my  family.  V/hen  father 
died,  I was  not  at  home.  Although  I was  sixteen  years  old,  yet  I 
never  received  a copy  of  his  will,  or  a statement  of  what  was  in 
it,  except  that  mother  told  me  he  had  made  an  equal  division  of  his 
property  among  his  five  children.  I understood  that  no  provision 

had  been  made  to  pay  Teacher's  salary  a paltry  affair  of  three 

J hundred  dollars  per  year.  The  people  to  whom  you  once  referred  as 

my  "anxious  friends  in  llew  York" remember,  they  were  paying 

every  cent  for  my  education  were  determined  that  the  will  should 

be  investigated,  and  that  I should  have  my  share.  They  were  anaced 
at  what  they  called  the  "monstrous"  injustice  that  the  one  child 
who  was  handicapped  should  be  left  to  the  charity  of  strangers, 
but  Teacher  would  not  let  them  start  anything.  They  said  they 


\ 


f 


t 


,„„ld  bring  suit  to  collect  Teacher- s bach  salary,  but  again  she  said 
■ITo,"  and  pointed  out  to  then  that  no  suspicion  should  be  cast  upon 

ay  family* 

It  has  al-ays  l-een  said  that  peo^e.  ” 

year^  Urs.  'Untton  worked  very  hard  in- 
fhat  has  been  tnie^  aor  years  --rs 

deed  to  keep  Teacher  and  me  going,  and  sometimes  our  ship  would  have 
sunk  if  1-rs.  Thaw  had  not  come  to  our  assistance. 

A great  deal  has  been  said  about  the  generosity  of  Jir.  H.  K. 
Ro':ers  to  me,  and  I am  indeed  grateful  to  him,  but  the  sum  he  gave 
was  not  extravagant  — a hundred  dollars  per  month  for  two  persons 
to  live  on.  At  his  death  l^r.  Rogers  Did  Not  Leave  me  Wealthy.  He 
left  me  six  hundred  dollars  a year,'  in  trust  with  the  Unitarian  Asso- 
ciation in  Boston  — and  the  principal  will  go  to  that  society  when 

I die. 

There  are  a number  of  letters  in  existence  which  substantia  e 
Statements  amour  them  two  in  father's  handwrltinr.  one  to 


. rs-  :.ou]cins  and  the  other  to  -h".  Anagnos.  In  doth  letters  lather 
de:Tianded  that  he  he  given  entire  control  of  my  income,  from  whatever 
might  come.  You  can  imagine  how  the  men  who  were  paying 


for  my  education  reacted  to  this’.  Father  also  said  that  he  would 
his  ohli.'^ations^  From  all  this  it  does  not  look  as  if  father  died 


d ^ 


fp^feacher  and  I did  "wxliihit"  ourselves  in 
u^le,  v/e  had  no  other  sure  means  of  support.  I<Iy  writings  had  not 
';'s;ourht  in  enough.  The  money  we  earned  lecturia^wsus.  ^ent 

in  improving  our  house  in  7rentham  and  paying  debts  incurred  hy..  Johno^  ' 
One  time  when  John  ’vas'*'t!fer'Fit)ly*  tr^set  over  Kis  St.  Botolph  Club  dues^>^’^ 
and  Teacher  v/as  made  ill  by  his  anxiety,  she  told  Miss  Rogers  about 
it.  Miss  Rogers  paid  the  dues  to  relieve  us  of  the  strain.  I am  t' cT — 


ing  you  all  this,  Mildred,  to  shovf  you  that  we  had  a hard  row  to  hi  Q-' 

5'P^p 

most  of  the  time.  ITo  doubt,  we  might  have  managed  better  if  we  ha<f^ 
had  ’’business  sense."  I do  not  have  to  tell  you  that  Teacher  and 

r P 

do  not  know  anything  about  money,  except  to  sneni  it_»^ ' 

^ 


'Thile  we  were  on  the  roadV  moved  to  >oston.  Owing  ^to  some  ca 

lessnens  of  his a ci  -arette  left  burning,  it  was  thou.:ht  

the  apartment  on  ^ire,  and  all  our  things  were  ruined.  There  \/as  no 


insurance . 


There  are  letters  from  Cousin  Leila,  Aunt  Ev,  Cousin  Sally  ITew- 

sum,  Johnny  Pope,  Krs.  Graves  and  I do  not  know  how  many  more, 

in  which  they  said  just  what  Teacher  says,  and  what  I know  from  my 
ovm  tactual  memories,  that  I was  "a  wild,  destructi/e  little  animal." 
They  told  how  I broke  dishes  and  Isunps,  how  I put  my  hands  into 
everybody's  plates,  how  I came  into  the  parlor  in  my  red  flannel 
underv/ear  and  pinched  Grandma  Adams,  chasing  her  from  the  room, 
which  I remember  perfectly.  There  is  also  a letter  in  which  it  is 
said  that  Uncle  Ered  told  mother  never  to  bring  me  to  Grandma's 


Of  course  there  was  no  Ilartha  Washington,  but  there  was  a 
little  negro  playroate  I had  corresponding  to  that  character. 

No,  I do  not  forget  that  the  year  (1919)  after  the  motion  pic- 
ture of  "The  Story  of  Uy  Life"  was  made  in  California,  mother  sent 
me  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  v/ithout  a word  of  explanation,  and  I 
returned  nine  hundred  of  it  to  her.  And  there  is  the  quarterly 
check  from  the  Alabama  Power  Company,  ( tv;-enty-nine  dollars  and 
seventy-five  cents)  the  source  of  which  I do  not  know.  You  sent 
me  something  from  the  sale  of  our  house  in  Tuscumbia,  but  I will 
not  take  time  to  look  up  the  figures,  you  will  knoyf.  So  far  as  I 
can  recall,  that  is  all  the  money  I have  received  from  my  fam.ily 
in  forty-five  years. 

Now,  dearest  Nildred,  we  must  swallow  our  pride  and  the  dis- 
agreeable facts  as  they  arise.  Let  us  remember  that  denials,  pre- 
tences and  family  prestige  get  badly  tattered  in  these  scrutinizing 

modern  times.  Even^ieens, you  wTll  ^recall  Victoria states' 

men  and  high  divines  are  exposed  ruthlessly  to  the  searchlight  of 
publicity.  No  wonder  I.iark  Twain  exclaimed,  "Damn  the  ^ jpas^^IJ_  And 

some  one  else  or  was  it  Hark  Twain  himself?  has  said,  "a  cele- 

brity  iwwn  is  a whole  nest  of  scorpions  in  the  family." 

ITr . Anagnos  made  it  his  business  to  collect  every  written  paragraph 
about  me  because  he  believed  that  some  day  I would  become  "a 
celebrity,"  and  people  would  be  interested  in  everything  connected 


5 


■''’ears  at;o  I wrote  to  you  about  some  of  these  matters,  but  you 
and  Phillips  dismissed  them  without  a comment.  Wow  they  have  sprunc 
up  with  new  vigor,  and  we  are  powerless  to  lay  them. 

Ve  three  are  sailing  for  Scotland  on  the  "President  Harding" 
'Wednesday,  June  14th,  if  nothing  happens.  Polly  is  having  diffi- 
cultj>-  securing  her  Re-Entry  Permit.  I have  v/ritten  to  President 
Roosevelt  asking  him  to  expedite  the  granting  of  her  permit,  and  I 
hope  he  will.  If  not.  Teacher  and  I will  feel  it  unwise  to  take 
the  trip. 

Teacher  v/ants  me  to  tell  you,  she  would  write  to  you  herself, 
but  her  sight  is  now  gone  as  far  as  reading  and  writing  are  con- 
cerned. She  did  not  know  the  letters  I have  mentioned  above  were 
still  extant.  She  also  wants  you  to  know  that  she  shrinks  more  than 
she  can  express  from  the  publication  of  her  biography.  Her  life 
has  not  been  a particularly  pleasant  one,  and  now  it  is  ending  as 
it  began,  in  misery.  Cur  only  relief  is  flight  overseas  to  the 
hills  whence  cometh  our  help.  Our  address  will  be  South  Arcan,  Muir 
of  Crd,  Ross-shire,  Scotland. 

I have  not  the  heart,  dear,  to  tell  you  the  little  common  things. 
'<7e  have  vrorked  ceaselessly  for  the  Foundation  since  the  11th  of 
October.  '.7e  have  gone  east  and  west  and  south,  travelling  by  train, 
automobile  or  aeroplane.  We  have  held  eighty  meetings,  and  the 
harvest  of  dollars  has  been  meagre  in  proportion  to  the  tremendous 
effort.  The  good-will  of  the  people  everywhere  has  been  wonderful, 
but  you  know  how  lean  purses  are,  and  how  uncertain  everybody  is 
about  the  future.  Our  own  income  has  been  heavily  cut  by  the  de- 
pression, but  that  does  not  matter.  My  only  concern  is  to  get 
Teacher  as  well  as  possible  before  the  cataract  operation  takes 
place,  and  to  help  others  less  fortunate  than  myself. 

The  inroads  of  a na -ging  procession  of  belated  letters  and 
articles  have  prevented  me  from  sooner  thanking  you  for  trans- 
cribing Frazier  Hunt's  two  splendid  articles.  They  encourage  me.. 

more  than  anything  else  has  for  a long  time  in  a world  that  nr  M'wos 


seems  to  be  rushing  straight  into  the  dark. 


6 


I wish  you  COUM  walk  round  with  me  In  the  tiny  garden  where  I 

find  a bit  of  oonsolatlon.  The  air  la  heavenly  with  honeysuckle, 

pinks  and  roses.  A kind  man  in  Hew  Jersey  has  sent  me  a lot  of  ’ 

rose-plants,  some  of  which  grow  beside  my  walk,  and  they  are  bloomine 
•wonderfully. 

I hope  3.0U  are  all  well,  and  not  feeling  the  heat  as  much  as 
we  have  since  i.ay  1st.  It  has  been  something  dreadful,  and  we  are 


limp  and  weary. 


9Je^ 


/ 


Jlth  love  to  you  all  dears,  in  which  Teacher  Joln^  I am, 

A ^ ’ 


Always  your  affectionate  sister 


Helen 


) 


\ 


ULdUd  H-cLm  firC£iOA,  ^ iX^CcOCU'cJL  ^ 

YvciusV’ioC*:/^^  ^u&.^qXL-  d u^Ul  ,G  ^ 

If,  L ttlyo  '^Jm  ^ 

^ciJc  iiMx  - Tos^'i^hdii  ItL  xuicLcJm^  ’^AusiLucy  l/-  isiU^^  ^ 

Tn-naat.  11  a .T->'>na  Q IQn  rs  f 


forest  gillsa  June  9,  1933. 

Cear  Uildred, 

Nella  Hennsy  vas  here  last  night,  and  we  discussed  her  life  of  Teacher. 
MS  talked  a good  deal  about  my  family. 


'll 


At  the  outset  it  is  best  that  we  all  should  understand  the  circumstances. 
Keither  Teacher  or  I are  responsible  for  amything  connected  with  the  biography, 
except  that  Teacher  most  reluctantly  gave  Nella  permission  to  write  it,  and  put 
into  her  hands  whaterer  material  she  had.  It  was  represented  to  Teacher  that 
if  Nella  did  not  writs  the  book,  somebody  else  would  do  it,  and  that  somebody 
might  not  be  as  kindly  disposed  towards  us.  Please  bear  in  mind,  Mildred,  that 
we  have  had  nothing  to  do  with  Nella' s handling  of  the  material.  The  book  is 
entirely  hers,  and  we  shall  not  get  a dollar  of  income  from  it. 

In  your  letter  to  Nella  you  say  that  a wrong  impression  of  Father's 
circumstances  has  got  abroad.  This  is  the  substance  of  what  you  wrote  me  in 
a Braille  letter  last  March: 

“Tou  are  quoted  as  saying  in  "The  Story  of  My  Life"  that  Father  was  not 


weijL  oil  oeiore  ne  aiea.  Uaay  pvople  In  tbls  part  of  the  country  who  knew 
lather  have  read  this  and  commented  on  it  because  they  know  it  was  not  true, 
but  so  lon^;  as  it  could  not  be  helped,  I said  nothing.  But  now  Mrs.  Hanney's 
letter  has  come,  and  I feel  that  the  time  has  come  to  speak, * 

Bow,  in  view  of  the  facts  in  Bella's  hands,  your  remarks  seem  contradictory. 
You  know  it  is  a fact,  Mildred,  that  Teacher  nerer  received  a dollar  of 
salary  after  she  and  mother  and  I went  to  Boston  in  June,  1888.  Occasionally 


0 ; 

C/i 


Mrs.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Mrs.  Alexander  Graham  Bell,  Mr.  William  Wade  of  Oakmont 
and  Miss  Annette  F.  Rogers  of  Boston  contributed  when  an  emergency  arose  like 


o 

p 


illness  or  a pressing  need  for  books  in  Braille  or  to  give  Teacher  and  me  a 
holiday. 

Then  there  is  the  Spaulding  loan.  It  was  because  of  his  interest  in  me, 
and  in  Teacher  too,  that  Mr.  Spaulding  lent  Father  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

But  later  the  heirs  were  very  suspicious  of  this  loan.  They  declared  that  a 
man  does  not  lend  a stranger  fifteen  thousand  dollars  without  proper  securities 
Mrs.  Laurence  Hutton  knew  that  Mr.  Spaulding  had  deposited  hlneteen 


9 


A 


'Si 


2 


tbooaand  dollars  in  a Boston  Itank  for  Teacher  and  me  to  live  on  while  we  were 
at  the  Tlrlght-Hmiason  School  for  the  Deaf.  She  wrote  to  the  heirs  asking  them 
to  giwe  her  that  snm  to  put  into  the  fund  she  was  raising  for  us.  At  first  they 
flatly  refused,  they  said  there  was  no  written  evidence  that  their  uncle  had 
deposited  any  such  sum  in  that  bank.  However,  after  various  insulting  remarks 
to  the  effect  that  Teacher's  charms  might  have  influenced  their  uncle  to  oaks 
the  loan  to  Father,  they  sent  her  a check  for  seven  thousand  dollars,  which  was 
put  in  with  the  fund  for  my  education.  At  that  time  the  heirs  thought  they 
could  collect  the  money  Father  owed  them  from  his  estate.  This  did  not  happen. 

There  is  another  matter  which  is  on  record.  Ur.  Spaulding  wanted  Teacher 
and  me  to  go  abroad  one  sunsner,  and  she  said  she  would  rather  have  a horse.  Be 
sent  her  a beautiful  Kentucky  saddls>horsa  which  cost  three  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars.  The  horse  was  killed  that  winter  by  the  railroad  in  Tuscumbia.  Father 
collected  damages,  but  did  not  pay  TeacherJ  I had  never  heard  this  until  a 
recent  overhauling  of  documents  brought  it  out. 

For  many  years  the  people  who  made  it  possible  for  Teacher  and  me  to  pay 
our  expenses  and  do  our  work  were  very  critical  of  what  they  termed  “the 
outrageous  attitude”  of  ny  family.  When  Father  died,  I was  not  at  home.  Al- 
thou^  I was  sixteen  years  old,  yet  I never  received  a copy  of  his  will,  or  a 
statement  of  what  was  in  it,  except  that  noother  told  me  he  had  made  an  equal 
division  of  his  property  among  his  five  children.  I understood  that  no 
provision  had  been  made  to  pay  Teacher's  salary  - — a paltry  affair  of  throe 
hundred  dollars  per  year.  The  people  to  whom  you  once  referred  as  my  "anxious 
friends  in  New  York”  - — remember,  they  were  paying  every  cent  for  my  education 
were  determined  that  the  will  should  be  investigated,  and  that  I should  have  my 
share.  They  were  amazed  at  what  they  called  the  “monstrous"  injustice  that  the 
one  child  who  was  handicapped  should  be  left  to  the  charity  of  strangers,  but 
Teacher  would  not  lot  them  start  anything.  They  said  they  would  bring  suit  to 
collect  Teacher's  back  salary,  but  again  she  said  "No,”  and  pointed  out  to  them 
that  no  suspicion  should  be  cast  upon  my  family. 

It  has  always  been  said  that  people  “poured  out  money  to  me.”  That  has 
NEVER  been  true,  except  in  the  case  of  Nr.  Sptulding.  For  years  Mrs.  Hutton 


3. 

worksd  very  bard  indeed  to  keep  Teacher  and  me  golni;,  and  eometiEose  our  ship 
would  have  eunk  if  Mrs.  Ibaw  (lad  not  come  to  our  assistance. 

A great  deal  has  heen  said  about  the  generosity  of  Mr.  H.  H.  Rogers  to  ms, 
and  1 am  indeed  grateful  to  him,  but  the  sum  he  gave  was  not  extrawagant  — 
a hundred  dollars  per  month  for  two  persons  to  live  on.  At  his  death  Mr. 

Rogers  Did  Hot  lisave  me  nealthy.  He  left  me  six  hundred  dollars  a year,  in 

trust  with  the  Unitarian  Association  in  Boston  and  the  principal  will  go 

to  that  society  when  I die. 

There  are  a number  of  letters  in  existence  which  substantiate  these  state- 
ments, among  them  two  in  father's  handwriting,  one  to  Mrs.  Hopkins  and  the  other 
to  Mr.  Anagnos.  In  both  letters  father  demanded  that  he  be  given  entire  control 
of  my  income,  from  whatever  source  it  might  come.  You  can  imagine  how  the  men 
who  were  paying  for  my  education  reacted  to  this.'  father  also  said  that  he 
would  be  obliged  to  exhibit  me  for  money  if  he  found  no  other  way  to  meet  his 
obligations.  Mother  wrote  a heartbroken  letter  to  Teacher  declaring  that  she 
would  die  before  this  happened.  The  idea  of  shoving  me  off  was  suggested  to 
father  by  a proposal  of  B.  f.  Keith  to  pay  me  five. hundred  dollars  a week  to  do 
his  circuit,  from  all  this  it  does  not  look  as  if  “father  died  well  off,“ 
does  it? 

Tears  later,  when  Teacher  and  I did  “exhibit“  ourselves  in  Vaudeville,  we 
bad  no  other  sure  means  of  support.  My  writings  had  not  brought  in  enough. 

The  money  we  earned  lecturing  was  largely  spent  in  improving  our  house  in 
wrentham  and  paying  debts  incurred  by  John.  One  time  when  John  was  terribly 
upset  over  his  St.  Botolph  Club  dues,  and  Teacher  was  made  ill  by  his  anxiety, 
she  told  Miss  Rogers  about  it.  Miss  Rogers  paid  the  dues  to  relieve  us  of  the 
strain.  I am  telling  you  all  this,  Mildred,  to  show  you  that  we  had  a hard  row 
to  hoe  most  of  the  time.  Ho  doubt,  we  might  have  managed  better  if  we  hud  had 
“business  sense. “ I do  not  have  to  tell  you  that  Teacher  and  1 do  not  know 
anything  about  sionay,  except  to  spend  it.  While  we  were  on  the  road,  John 
moved  to  Boston,  Owing  to  some  carelessness  of  his  - — a cigarette  left  burning, 

it  was  thought  set  the  apartment  on  fire,  and  all  our  things  were  ruined. 

There  was  no  insurance. 


4 


rrom  th»  year  1905,  when  Teacher  wae  married,  until  1920,  when  I rose  up 
In  my  wrath  and  said  John  should  not  have  another  penny  of  my  earnings,  we  were 
constantly  paying  considerable  sums  for  him  - — for  his  family,  for  his  tailors, 
hlB  books  and  a trip  of  four  months  and  a half  In  Europe,  and  for  any  one  ho 
wished  to  assist,  and  Teacher  even  paid  for  his  burial. 

Jlnally,  Ur.  Carnegie  came  to  the  rescue,  and  things  went  better.  I managed 
to  save  a few  thousand  dollars  which  I put  In  trust  for  Teacher,  who  will  get 
nothing  at  all  If  I die  first,  as  every  one  of  the  annuities  I receive  will  then 
cease.  That  saving  was  uqt  desperate  effort  to  make  up  for  father's  failure  to 
pay  Teacher's  salary. 

Katurally,  Nslla  was  somewhat  surprised  at  what  you  said  In  your  letter  to 

her "how  beautifully  we  had  all  lived  until  father's  death,"  and  yet 

strangers  were  paying  for  wy  support  and  education.  She  has  handled  a very 
difficult  subject  tactfully  I think,  and  she  has  said  as  little  as  she  possibly 
could.  Indeed,  she  would  gladly  leave  It  out  altogether,  but  too  many  people 
know  about  It,  and  others  may  write  about  It  very  unpleasantly  and  maliciously. 

Teacher  insists  that  two  of  the  more  implsasant  letters  be  destroyed  - — 
those  written  by  mother  in  which  she  denied  that  I was  "a  wild,  uncouth  little 
creature"  before  Teacher  cane  to  me,  but  Nella  says  she  cannot,  she  has  no 
right  to  destroy  anything  In  the  possession  of  other  people. 

There  are  letters  from  Cousin  Leila,  Aunt  Sv,  Cousin  Sally  Sewsum,  Johnny 

Fops,  Mrs.  Graves and  I do  not  know  how  many  more.  In  which  they  said  Just 

what  Teacher  says,  and  what  I know  from  my  own  actual  msmorles,  that  I was  "a 
wild,  destructive  little  animal."  They  told  how  I broke  dishes  and  lamps,  how 
I put  my  hands  Into  everybody's  plates,  bow  I came  Into  the  parlor  In  my  red 
flannel  underwear  and  pinched  Graddma  Adams,  chasing  her  from  the  room,  which  I 
remember  perfectly.  There  is  also  a letter  in  which  it  Is  said  that  Uncle  Ired 
told  mother  never  to  bring  me  to  Grandma's  house  again  In  Meo^hls. 

Of  course  there  was  no  Martha  Washington,  but  there  was  a little  negro 
playmate  I had  corresponding  to  that  character. 

No,  I do  not  forget  that  the  year  (1919)  after  the  motion  picture  of 
"The  Story  of  My  Life"  was  sada  In  Celifcr-jla,  mother  sent  me  fifteen  hundred 


6, 


dollars,  without  a word  of  explanation,  and  I returned  nine  hundred  of  it  to  her. 
And  there  is  the  quarterly  check  from  the  Alabama  Power  Company,  (twenty-nine 
dollars  and  seventy-five  cents)  the  source  of  which  I do  not  know.  You  sent  me 
something  from  the  sale  of  our  house  in  Tuscumbia,  but  I will  not  take  time  to 
look  up  the  figures,  you  will  know.  So  far  as  I can  recall,  that  is  all  the 
money  I have  received  from  my  family  in  forty-five  years. 

Now,  dearest  Mildred,  we  must  swallow  our  pride  and  the  disagreeable  facts 
as  they  arise.  Lst  us  remember  that  denials,  pretences  and  family  prestige  get 

badly  tattered  in  these  scrutinising  modem  times.  Sven  Qpeens, you  will 

recall  Victoria  — statesmen  and  high  divines  are  exposed  ruthlessly  to  the 
searchlight  of  publicity.  No  wonder  Mark  Twain  exclaimed,  **Samn  the  pastj  * 

And  some  one  else or  was  it  Mark  Twain  himself? has  said,  "that  a 

celebrity  is  a whole  nest  of  scorpions  in  the  family."  Mr.  Anagnos  made  it 
his  business  to  collect  every  written  paragraph  about  me  because  he  believed 
th?t  some  day  I would  become  "a  celebrity,"  and  people  would  be  interested  in 

I 

everything  connected  with  ms. 

Tears  ago  I wrote  to  you  about  some  of  these  matters,  but  you  and  Phillips 
dismissed  them  without  a comment.  Now  they  have  sprung  up  with  new  vigor,  and 
we  are  powerless  to  lay  them, 

te  three  are  sailing  for  Scotland  on  the  "President  Harding"  nedneeday, 

June  14th,  if  nothing  happens.  Polly  Is  having  difficulty  eecuring  her  Re- 
Entry  Permit.  I have  written  to  President  Roosevelt  asking  him  to  expedite 
the  granting  of  her  peiWiit,  and  I hone  he  will.  If  not.  Teacher  and  I will  feel 
it  unwise  to  take  the  trip. 

Teacher  wants  ms  to  tell  you,  she  would  write  to  you  herself,  but  her  sl<^t 
is  now  gone  as  far  as  reading  and  writing  are  concerned.  She  did  not  know  the 
letters  I have  mentioned  above  were  still  extant.  She  also  wants  you  to  know 
that  she  shrinks  more  than  she  can  express  from  the  publication  of  her  biography. 
Her  life  has  not  been  a particularly  pleasant  one,  and  now  it  is  ending  as  it 
began,  in  misery.  Our  only  relief  ie  flight  overseas  to  the  hills  whence 
Cometh  our  help.  Our  address  will  be  South  Arcan,  Muir  of  Ord,  Roes-shire, 
Scotland. 


6 


1 iubv*  not  the  heart,  dear,  to  tell  you  the  little  common  things,  ht  have 
worked  ceaselessly  for  the  Foundation  since  the  11th  of  October,  ifs  have  gone 
east  and  west  and  souths  travelling  by  train,  automobile  er  aeroplane.  We  have 
hold  eighty  meetings,  and  the  harvest  of  dollars  has  been  meagre  in  proportion 
to  the  tremendous  effort.  Ties  good-will  of  the  people  everywhere  has  been 
wonderful,  but  you  know  how  lean  purses  are,  and  how  uncertain  eveiybody  is 
about  the  future.  Our  own  income  has  been  heavily  cut  by  the  depression,  but 
that  does  not  matter.  My  only  concern  is  to  get  Teacher  as  well  as  possible 
before  the  cataract  operation  takes  place,  and  to  help  others  less  fortunate 
than  myself. 

The  inroads  of  a nagging  procession  of  belated  letters  and  articles  have 
prevented  me  from  sooner  thanking  you  for  transcribing  Frasier  Hunt's  two 
splendid  articles.  They  encourage  me  more  than  euaything  else  has  for  a long 
time  in  a world  that  often  seems  to  be  rushing  straight  into  the  dark.' 

I with  you  could  walk  round  with  me  in  the  tiny  garden  where  I find  a bit 
of  consolation.  The  air  is  heavenly  with  honeysuckle,  pinks  and  roses.  A 
kind  nan  in  New  Jersey  has  sent  me  a lot  of  rose-plants,  some  of  which  grow 
beside  ny  walk,  and  they  are  blooming  wonderfully. 

I hope  you  are  all  well,  and  not  feeling  the  heat  as  much  as  we  have  slnee 
May  1st.  It  has  been  something  dreadful,  and  we  are  limp  and  weary. 

With  love  to  you  all  dears,  in  which  Teacher  and  Polly  Join,  I am 

Always  your  affectionate  sister 


Helen 


7111  deminole  Avenue, 
i'orest  Hilln,  Nevr  York 


iJovaraber  23,  1936, 


Dear  Bishop  iVeenan, 

As  the  mists  of  grief  begin  to  lift  from  mind,  I senye  a 
new  wonder  ?md  meaning  in  the  events  of  my  life.  There  are  three 
,*ich  stand  out  especially  clear  — the  day  when  njy  Ood-giTon  teacher 
found  me  in  a dark,  soundless,  hopeless  world,  broke  down  the  prison- 
door  and  let  light  in  to  my  soul,  the  day  she  was  released  from  pain 
unto  eternal  peace  and  Ifovember  2nd  when  you  held  an  intimately 
beautiful  service  in  her  honor  in  the  Chapel  of  St,  Joseph  of  Arimathea 
at  the  Hritional  Cathedral, 

It  makes  me  proud  to  know  that  Anne  Sullivan  Kacy  is  the  first 
woram  thus  to  be  ragognized  for  her  own  achievements.  There  could 
not  hrve  been  a nobler  climax  to  her  life  of  devotion  and  her  gospel 
of  self-help  for  the  handicapped,  I thank  you  for  a tribute  to  her 
which  will  be  recorded  among  the  most  finely  perceptive  praises  she 
has  ever  received.  I treasure  up  in  ray  heart  particularly  your 
moving  words  about  her  friendship,  "reminiscent  of  Him  who  restored 
man  and  woman  to  the  normal  ways  and  habits  of  life." 

Strong  with  the  conviction  that  she  who  has  gone  into  the  Light 
and  I who  linger  in  the  dark  will  be  reunited,  I am,  with  cordial  esteem. 


Sincerely  yours. 


H3LSH  KSLLSR 


The  Manse, 
Boti^^l,  Scotland 


c 

0 


p 

y 


June  22,  1957. 

Dear  Amelia, 

Your  letter  to  Folly  hae  just  reached  us  in  this  delightful  nook  of 
Nippon  where  the  surroundings  make  a pleasure  of  each  task.  This  comfortable, 
hospitable  inn  seems  all  windows,  and  wherever  Polly  turns  her  head  she  looks 
down  upon  a flash  of  color  which  is  an  azalea  bush  or  a cascade  of  wisteria. 
Shimmering  silver  birches  give  a spiritual  delicacy  to  the  garden,  and  with 
each  breeze  I catch  a fragrant  message  from  the  nines. 


At  si.ich  times,  Amelia,  my  mind  is  most  reluctant  to  take  up  what 
Stevenson  calls  the  difficult  business  of  “conducting  life  by  letter", 

but  evidently  our  friends  in  America  have  received  a very  wrong  impression 

of  the  way  things  are  going  with  Folly  and  me  in  Nippon,  and  there  are  some 

facts  I wish  to  make  quite  clear. 

In  the  first  place,  it  is  not  I but  Polly  who  has  been  ill.  len  days  ago 
she  came  down  with  a very  serious  germ  i;  faction  in  her  leg,  and  had  to 
remain  in  bed  for  a while.  Two  excellent  physicians  and  two  nurses  worked 
to  fi^t  the  poison  and  renew  the  dressings  every  few  hours,  uou  can  imagine 
my  distress,  and  how  thankful  I was  when  she  rallied  in  a shorter  time  than 
I anticipated.  We  did  not  cable  because  we  lon-w  how  much  worse  bad  news 
sounds  at  a distance  than  it  really  is,  and  s>urely  you  realize  after  many 
years'  experience  how  the  newspapers  garble  even  the  simplest  incidents  of 
our  daily  lives. 

As  it  is,  I have  begged  the  "Asrhi"  to  rectify  the  stupid,  unfounded 
report  that  I "fainted  end  went  ri^t  on  with  a lecture."  It  was  dear  Folly 
who  went  right  on  as  soon  as  she  was  abl^o  limp  about,  and  that  wus  her  own 
etubbornness,  not  any  one's  wish.  She  still  has  to  go  to  the  hospital  for  a 
trettment  as  we  go  from  city  to  city,  but  she  is  im'>roving 'steadily. 

I am  hurt  and  indignant  at  the  injustice  of  the  implication  in  your 


letter  that  we  are  being  worked  to  exliaustion  here.  T'-°  care  and  devotion 
with  which  V.r.  and  Mrs.  Iwaha^  — and  there  is  no  hy^^erbole  in  aaying  the 
nation  — are  watching  over  ua  both  is  one  of  the  most  touching  testimonials 
to  the  goodness  of  the  human  I'.eart, 

Kow  that  our  anxiety  is  over,  I am  resolved  not  to  return  to  America 
until  the  work  I set  out  to  do  for  the  handicapped  of  Nippon  is  finished. 

It  is  the  only  weapon  against  the  most  desolating  and  life-wrecking  sorrow 
I have  ever  endured.  Besides,  my  health  continues  splendid,  and,  as  I 
cabled  Nr.  Nigel,  our  programme  has  been  greatly  modified.  In  fact  it  has 
been  rather  easy  for  some  time  back.  We  have  rested  in  a number  of  hot 
spring  resorts,  and  many  days  when  we  travel  there  are  no  meetings.  Nr. 

Iwahashi  relieves  me  of  the  enormous  correspondence  here  in  Nippon,  and  what 
remains  for  me  to  do  is  No  Heavier  than  what  I had  during  the  first  few  years 
the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind  was  struggling  to  gain  support  as  a 
national  agency. 

When  Nr.  Nigel  requested  last  February  that  the  campaign  for  the  blind 
of  Nippon  be  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  Japanese  Government,  (and 
I am  glad  he  did)  the  wo»i.  automatically  assumed  larger  and  more  exacting 
proportions.  The  Tokyo  and  Osaka  programmes  were  very  strenuous.  .V.r.  Iwahashi 
was  not  permitted  to  have  a say  in  the  matter.  Those  added  burdens  came  as 
a result  of  the  recognition  of  my  work  by  the  Government.  As  soon  as  we  got 
away  from  Tokyo  Nr.  Iwahashi  took  the  situation  firmly  in  hand  and  cancelled 
all  our  social  engagements,  and  it  is  blioause  our  work  has  been  slowed  down 
that  we  are  staying  longer  in  this  country.  He  is  taking  us  by  easy  stages 
through  the  land,  arranging  rest  periods  oftener  and  crowding  into  our  free 
time  the  grandeur,  the  beauty,  the  artistic  exquisiteness  of  Nippon.  — Fujiyama 
— Lake  Biwa  — Nara  --  V.ount  Aso  — the  Inland  Sea,  and  now  Hokkaido  where 
there  are  perhapa  the  most  interesting  antiquities  I have  ever  seen. 

But  with  all  the  letters  to  friends  I have  on  my  mind  I can  suggest  to 
you  only  this  much  of  what  a memorable  trip  this  has  been.  Of  course  I shall 


later  try  to  tell  Kr.  kipel  what  can  never  be  told  in  words  — the  boundless 
hospitality,  generosity  and  delight  of  a visit  that  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  chapters  in  my  life-story. 

As  soon  as  we  return  to  America  in  August  Polly  and  I are  taking  the 
train  direct  to  Dallas  where  we  shall  stay  with  my  brother,  just  how  long 
I do  not  yet  know.  I have  changed  my  mind  about  motoring  because  the  heat 
at  that  time  of  year  is  terrific.  Also  we  shall  have  a great  deal  of  luggage. 
All  things  considered,  it  seems  more  sensible  to  go  by  train. 

I do  not  want  the  newspapers  to  pur sure  us  after  our  return.  Only  in 
perfect  freedom  can  Polly  and  I replenish  our  energies  for  next  winter. 

Here  come  our  friends,  all  excitement  because  I have  taken  this  time  to 
write  to  you,  and  we  must  start  for  the  station.  Already  our  la.~gage  is 
gone,  and  the  car  is  at  the  door. 

With  our  united  love,  and  with  the  hope  that  you  will  soon  take  the 
vacation  you  so  richly  deserve,  I am. 


Affectionately  your  friend. 


OdsTtv  fe>Gt<xJu>- , 


Hokkaido, 


Japan. 


-p 


"D  V-  J CO^ 

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jtj-f};  a-jt  .-ruq+'«q  joao‘  31:  .v.7,  . . ”0  ,^o.  = 4j;f-','-  ..01  aoon  f'fffce  ^'pe 

‘icus’  euq  47;®  Cat  jz  414:  ^ 'e  qooi.  • 

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\ 

jjOLS  coa©  OTTL  ^Lfouge*  ajj  oxc,  qouicuq'  pecerfBs  j uba©  pafcoa  fTao  (o 

bsLtccf  ^teegom  oou  lojjX  ouq  j Leljeuqep  ottl  ©asLSqos  uesLf  MfUfOL* 

I go  uop  uBiif  ppe  ueMslabcLS  4,  ix,anLe  ae  o^poL  oaL  tofrfLi.'* 

' IJ  •fPT*’'*  cousTgetog'  74  eeeao  acis  ;.  A_s7pjs  fo  to  :'x  jLory 

■if  fpsrf  ffa©  Ot  :'0.'L  -«  fShtJ'^JC’  ^-J'.  MG  p3A6  B 5‘.L0«f  g J O?,  J.-iE-":-  ,.• 

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fiBjy  gjLOCf  f " i:-jj  0 LpOL©  M«  epBTi  •‘■'T-fp  ,;LOf;.'Oi.  * ;ffaf  poM  Jens’ 

•■/:  sccu  1.6  .«©  i.sfnm  4<.  'f®SLTC  j ;j  yrranef  i,ojJ?v  awg  J *l«  f;>,K,  j£  fp« 
f -bj:.':  CpBj.fOlS  JU  JJpG-CfCL/.* 

U •oueLOejfX  sug  TajfSpf  04.  » Ajajf  fp*rf  f*  oao  fpe  aoBf 
jepOL  fLA  fo  I'GJJ  ; ’.  • ; ; ©j  Mpsf  oj:  usa'cl  p«  f c J q fiJ  MOLqa  — 


f>j9  ponygj««» 


(cor>y) 


J\in6  22,  1938 


Dppr  Mr.  Mmile, 

Your  letter  intererts  me  in  a very  special  "ay.  It  is  a distin^iished 
comnliment  to  have  you  offer  me  the  chance  of  writing  Clara  Barton's 
hioaraphy.  If  it  was  possible,  and  if  I had  the  biographer's 
qualifications,  I should  nroudly  att emnt  the  life  of  one  "hose 
noble  wo  rtc  for  friend  and  foe  alike  during  the  Civil  War  I have 
always  a.dmired.  But,  as  you  will  readily  understand,  my  tire  is 
too  crowded  with  work  for  the  handicapped  for  me  to  undertake 
general  writing,  let  alone  the  mass  of  research  needed  in  order  to 
do  the  subject  justice.  Besides,  I have  already  started  other  tasks 
which  will  require  much  energy  and  mental  concentration  for  months 
to  come . 

Earnestly  I hone  a suitable  person  may  be  found  to  "rite  Miss  Barton's 
life.  In  these  distressful  days  of  the  w'orld  we  increasingly  need 
fine  nersonalitiss  above  creed  and  nationalism  to  open  wide  spaces  in 
our  hearts  and  minds. 

Ihanking  you  for  your  friendly  letter,  I am,  with  kind  greetings  from 
Miss  Thomson, 


Sincerely  yours  , 


Helen  Keller 


Snowville , 

New  Hampshire. 


9 


His  Excnllonoy  John  Lodpo, 

Govornor  of  Conn, 

Denr  Governor  Lodp;e, 

Your  letter  is  a beautiful  deed.  Not  only  have 
your  words  of  warm  friendliness  and  appreciation  given  me 
heartfelt  pleasure,  you  have  also  afforded  me  an  opportunity 
to  meet  President  Eisenhower, 

I shall  indeed  be  proud  to  have  the  President  and  you, 
as  it  were,  set  the  seal  of  your  approval  upon  the  docunentarj' 
film,  snd  that  will  mean,  I am  sure,  that  it  will  spread  more 
widely  the  gospel  of  rehabilitating  the  blind  and  the  deaf. 


I do  not^now  when  the  film  will  be  finished,  but  I shall 
be  delighted  to  come  to  the  "White  House  any  time,  except  the 
last  week  in  April  when  Miss  Thomson  and  I ere  scheduled  to  go 
to  South  America  on  a tour  in  behalf  of  the  blind, 

Yfith  warmest  greetings  and  hig’":gt  respect,  I am, 


vet 


Sincerely  yours. 


"Westport,  Conn,, 


March  eighth,  1953 


Dear  Van  T/yck, 

Your  article,  ishich  was  transcribed,  has  just  come  into  my  hands, 
and  I am  delighted.  It  gives  me  a proud,  happy  feeling  tiiat  you  write 
about  one  whom  you  know  intimately  — a home  friend  and  a simple  human 
being, 

I have  had  just  one  or  two  friends  who  could  like  j^ou  forget 
my  pubjic  life  and  write  down  notes  of  my  off-hand  sayings  and  doings. 
You  represent  me.  Van  Wyck,  in  a marmer  that  flatters  and  tickles  my 
amour-  propre  deliciously!  But  seriously  I felt  free  with  j’-ou  as  I 
read  your  article  as  I do  when  we  sit  together,  and  I thank  you  for 
your  wish  to  introduce  me  informally  to  a circle  of  friendly  readers. 

I hope  you  will  not  mind  several  corrections  in  the  list  I en- 
close which  seem  to  imply  an  underestimation  of  my  teacher’s 
personality.  She  was  a woman  of  such  rare  combination  of  qualities 
and  abilities  that  even  I who  loved  and  knew  her  best  am  baffled  in  my 
efforts  to  present  her  as  she  really  was,  I can  hope  only  for  a word 
portrait  of  her  in  the  "teacher  book"  which  may  win  for  her  the  love 
that  she  so  amply  deserves. 

Until  we  see  you  and  Gladys,  I am,  with  our  affection  to  you  both. 

Your  friend. 


August  ninth,  1953. 


Corrections 


Pago  1. 

There  is  no  impropriety  in  mentioning  President  Eisenhower,  but  I 
feel  that  his  name  ought  to  be  omitted  because  Polly  and  I do  not 
know  if  or  when  he  is  to  receive  us  at  the  White  House, 

Page  2.  (?) 

"She  had  early  learned  geography”  — 

It  was  not  "relief"  maps  like  those  at  the  Perkins  Institution,  but 
maps  that  Teacher  made  out  of  clay  or  the  sand  on  the  banks  of  the 
Tennessee  River  along  which  we  rambled. 

Page  2, 

Alemnder  Graham  Bell was  there  with  her  and  described 

some  of  the  sights  in  the  deaf-and-dumb  "system," 

Page  2, 

2nd  the  only  one  so  handicapped  who  has  ever  become  a thoroughly  well 
educated  person,  "except  perhaps  Robert  Schmidas  who  graduated  last 
year  from  St,  John’s  University," 

Page  2, 

After  fallen  angel.  In  her  these  are  exceptionally"  acute  etc. 

Page  3,  (?) 

No,  I did  not  study  astronomy, 

I did  not  write  in  French  until  long  after  my  eleventh  year. 

Page  2, 

I cannot  imagine  myself  as  "racing  ahead  of  Teacher,"  It  was  her 
wonderful  perceptiveness  that  enabled  her  to  keep  up  with  and  outstrip 
me  in  supplying  my  intellectual  needs  as  they  arose. 


Page  4.  (?) 

After  "before  she  found  herself  at  the  Perkins  Institution"  etc. 

Teacher  told  mo  about  her  little  brother  Jimmy  and  one  or  two  poor 
children  she  had  known,  but  not  about  Tweksbtary  or  the  almshouse 
until  she  was  over  sixty  years  old.  In  the  fact  that  she  kept  her 
"dark  knowledge"  from  me  all  those  years  and  thus  avoided  jarring 
the  harmony  of  my  philosophy  of  life  I see  another  proof  of  her  great 
soul. 

Page  4, 

The  truth  is,  the  Perkins  Institution  had  only  a slight  influence  upon 
my  mind,  except  in  matters  concerning  the  handicapped.  It  was  not 
until  years  afterwards  that  I understood  Dr.  Howe's  many  philanthropies 
and  read  about  Abolition,  the  Civil  War  and  the  problems  of  labor. 

1910  is  the  year  vrtien  I became  a conscious  radical..,., 

Pago  5. 

Mrs.  Matilda  Pfeiffer  does  not  remember  singing  any  such  Italian  song 
as  "Bisogna,  Bisogna," 

Page  5, 

The  statement  about  my  recognising  music  is  exaggerated.  By  listening 
intently  I can  recognise  and  enjoy  Beethoven's  "Ninth  symphony,"  but 
not  his  other  symphonies. 

Page  6.  (?) 

As  a matter  of  fact,  black  often  suggests  tragedy  to  me,  as  in  "the 
blackness  of  misanthropy"  or  "the  black  pinions  of  melancholy  or  "my 
sins  as  black  as  the  wings  of  a crow,"  Oily  when  an  artist  softens 


black  or  blends  it  with  other  colors  can  I be  reconciled. 

Page  7, 

Polly  and  I spoke  at  the  Tuskegee  Institute,  but  I never  met  Booker 
T.  Washington.  I admired  him  for  the  shrewdness  and  skill  with  which 
he  trained  Negroes  to  be  mechanics  and  ply  trades.  However,  it  was 
George  Washington  Carver  that  embodied  my  ideal  as  a great  leader  of 
the  Negro  race,  a deep- though tod  scientist  and  a magnificent  human 
being. 

Page  7 or  8, 

The  cedar  rail  is  a quarter  or  a third  of  a mile  long. 

Page  7 or  8. 

Pollj'  and  I met  Sophie  Tucker  first  when  we  were  in  Vaudeville,  and 
we  kept  up  a cordial  friendship  with  her  ever  afterwards.  "Naughty" 
was  the  word  she  used. 

Page  8 or  9, 

Alas!  Only  part  of  the  sheets  were  saved  from  my  epic  poem  of  1912. 
Page  9, 

I an  not  sure  about  the  exact  spelling  of  Evelyn  Cheeseman's  last  name, 
but  the  rest  is  correct. 

Page  9 or  10. 

I used  to  have  time  for  "solitary  meditation  in  the  dark",  but  years 
of  incessant  work  have  brought  me  a sense  of  responsibility  and  anxiety 
to  meet  it  with  flying  colors,  and  my  early  morning  walks  when  I am  at 
home  bring  me  the  only  care  free  hours. 

Page  10, 

seems  to  me  best  to  leave  out  any  reference  to  Monserrat’ s book. 


If  one’s  conscience  is  clear,  one  can  live  down  any  attempt  to 
discredit  one's  life. 


C 0 i'  Y 


Dear  Iilr.  Migel, 

It  was  a pleasure  to  see  you  again  last  Thursday,  and  Polly 
and  I regretted  that  our  greetings  were  so  briqf,  owing  to  the 
lateness  of  our  arri-val. 

We  hoped  that  you  would  be  at  your  office  when  we  called 
yesterday.  But  we  are  glad  to  think  of  you  as  enjoying  the 
inexpressible  October  loveliness  of  the  country.  Perhaps  you 
will  let  us  know  after  you  get  back  to  New  York  when  we  can  have 
a real  talk  with  you.  There  will  be  your  news  for  us  to  hear. 

Some  matters  connected  with  my  work  have  come  up,  and  I 
should  liice  to  discuss  them  with  you  confidentially.  It  is  a 
comfort  to  have  a friend  to  turn  to  when  one’s  affairs  seem 
tangled  and  difficult,  and  I am  sure  you  will  find  the  right 
way  for  me  to  follow. 

It  will  be  wonderful  if  Hr.  Ziegler  can  take  comsel  with 
us.  He  is  another  friend  whom  I honor  and  trust.  Will  you 
kindly  arrange  with  him  to  meet  Polly  and  me  at  your  office  the 
week  of  November  9th? 

With  Polly's  and  my  love,  I am. 

Affectionately  yours, 

(signed)  Helen  Keller 

October  twenty-fourth,  1953, 


C 0 F Y 


Dear  Mr.  Ziegler, 

Polly  and  I were  delighted  to  see  you  again  at  15  West  ISih 
Street  last  week  and  to  have  a pleasant  chat  with  you  after  the 
presentation  of  the  medals.  It  was  good  also  to  see  Mr,  Migel, 

It  was  Just  a glimpse  we  had  of  you,  but  it  meant  much  to  me. 

I realised,  as  I often  do,  how  fortunate  I am  to  have  you  both  as 
friends  and  as  trustees,  and  it  is  in  this  spirit  of  appreciation 
that  I write  to  you  today. 

The  love  of  my  work  for  the  blind  prompts  me  to  seek  your 
counsel.  Thera  are  some  problems  connected  with  this  work  which 
have  perplexed  me  for  some  time,  and  I should  like  to  discuss 
them  with  you  confidentially.  They  are  of  such  a nature  that  it 
is  not  easy  to  put  them  into  a letter,  and  since  you  are  President 
of  the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind,  you  will,  I am  sure,  let 
me  talk  over  those  matters  with  you  and  Mr.  Migel,  I am  writing 
to  him  also  asking  if  he  will  arrange  for  you  to  meet  Polly  and  me 
at  his  office.  Of  course  we  will  come  to  New  York  any  time  that 
suits  you  both. 

With  affectionate  greetings  from  us  both,  I am. 

Sincerely  yours, 

(signed)  Helen  Keller 

October  twenty-fourth,  1953, 


What  I intend  to  say  to  Mr,  Ziegler  and  Mr.  Migel 

What  I want  to  talk  with  you  about  is  the  Foundation  for  Overseas  Blind 
and  its  present  status. 

Since  the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind  of  the  United  States  has 
been  financed  to  carry  on  its  activities,  I have  felt  free  to  work  for  the 
Foundation  for  Overseas  Blind  whose  world  outlook  has  always  had  a special 
appeal  for  me.  ,I  believe  that  it  can  and  should  play  an  increasing  tole  in 
world-wide  movements,  but  I have  noted  obstacles  that  stand  in  the  way  of  its 
greater  efficiency  and  expansion. 

For  instance,  I constantly  receive  mail  from  people  who  are  bewildered 
with  regard  to  the  nature  of  the  two  foimdations  and  who  ask  me  to  allocate 
their  gifts  to  "whichever  service  to  the  blind  you  consider  worth  while." 

That  state  of  affairs  troubles  me  very  much.  I know  that  when  we  had  only  the 
American  Foundation  for  the  Blind,  it  enjoyed  public  confidence  because  it 
was  evident  that  it  was  not  controlled  by,  or  under  obligation  to  any  one. 

But  I have  learned  through  correspondence  that  there  is  a growing  confusion  in 
the  public  mind  as  to  the  relation  between  the  American  Foundation  for  the 
Blind  and  the  American  Foundation  for  Overseas  Blind,  It  seems  to  mo,  this 
confusion  arises  from  the  fact  that  the  two  organizations  have  similar  names, 
a similar  letterhead,  the  same  executive  director,  the  same  officers  and  part 
of  the  same  personnel. 

You,  Mr,  Migel,  will  recall  that  the  Foundation  for  Overseas  Blind  was 
originally  created  by  William  Nelson  Cromwell  to  serve  all  the  blind  of  the 
globe  as  the  Universal  Braille  Press,  For  thirty  years  it  was  independent 
administratively  and  economically,  but  at  the  end  of  the  second  World  War 
it  was  left  with  an  inadequate  staff  and  insufficient  funds.  Ihen  the 
American  Foundation  for  the  Blind  stepped  in  and  gave  tAmporary  assistance 
by  providing  accomodations  and  the  part-time  services  of  some  of  its  members 
for  money-raising  and  other  duties  involved  in  work  for  the  blind  abroad. 


2 


However,  — and  as  far  as  I know  this  has  not  been  made  clear  ~ the 
last  few  years  the  Foundation  for  Overseas  Blind  has  had  its  own  staff, 
conducted  its  own  finances  and  carried  out  its  program  without  the  aid  of 
the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind.  Besides,  its  financial  and  professional 
security  has  been  further  strengthened  by  the  recent  incorporation  with  ihe 
Institute  for  the  Chinese  Blind.  Since  it  has  stood  up  so  nobly  to  its  under- 
takings, I feel  strongly  that  the  time  has  come  for  it  to  regain  its  inde- 
pendence. That  will  be  one  way  to  dissipate  the  doubt  and  suspicion  regard- 
ing the  two  Foundations  and  restore  general  confidence  in  their  integrity, 

Hhat  finer  memorial  can  there  be  to  Mr.  Cromwell  in  whose  heart  burned  an  ever 
remembering  generosity  for  the  sightless  of  the  earth.  I cannot  forget  the 
passionate  earnestness  with  which  he  poured  out  his  desire  that  I travel  a- 
oross  the  globe  in  the  Interest  of  all  the  blind,  regardless  of  race,  creed 
or  color.  The  same  longing  was  in  mo,  and,  spurred  by  his  words,  I hold  it  as 
a trust  to  accomplish  all  that  I can  for  the  blind  of  humanity. 

Now  1 wish  to  ask  a question  or  two  about  events  which  have  lately  oc- 
curred at  the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind  and  which  make  me  uncertain 
about  my  position  there. 

At  first  I was  happy  under  the  new  Executive  Director,  who  was  most  oom- 
mxmicative  with  me.  He  was  full  of  plans  and  hopes  for  working  out  an  idea- 
rich  program.  The  atmosphere  at  the  office  was  cheery  and  vibrant  with  the 
spirit  of  cooperation.  But  for  months  the  attitude  of  the  Executive  Director 
towards  me  has  been  different.  He  seems  to  have  ignored  me  as  Counsellor  of 
the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind  on  International  Relations,  — an 
honor  which  I owe  to  you,  Mr,  Migel,  I wonder  what  has  caused  this  change. 
Certainly  he  has  said  very  little  about  my  tour  of  the  Near  East  or  Latin 
Asierica,  and  never  shown  interest  in  work  for  the  blind  abroad.  In  fact  I 
have  heard  indirectly  that  some  of  my  Foundation  for  Overseas  Blind  functions 
have  been  credited  to  the  American  Foundation  for  the  Blind,  thus  adding  to 
the  bewilderment  of  contributors  and  the  press.  If  that  is  true,  is  not  there 


5. 

a way  in  which  it  can  be  corrootodT  Iben  there  appears  to  have  been 
a constsmt,  planned  removal  of  Foundation  members  in  whom  I have  trusted, 
and  nothing  has  been  said  to  me  about  the  matter,  I wonder,  friends, 
whether  it  has  been  wise  to  dismiss  so  many  people  who  are  familiar  with 
the  work  for  the  blind  and  to  install  newcomers  who  do  not  seen  to  have  the 
requisite  experience  or  qualifications  for  that  sort  of  service,  Naturally 
I cannot  act  with  assurance  in  such  a maae  of  contradictory  impressions  and 
the  \mdercurrent  of  misapprehension. 

Will  you  not,  dear  friends,  counsel  me  so  that  I may  steer  my  course 
and  continue  to  be  of  use  to  the  blind  throughout  the  world  in  accordance 
with  Mr.  Cromwell's  wishes  and  my  universal  sympathies? 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


Dear  Mr.  Sarnoff, 

I have  been  thrilled  to  hear  of  your  lofly 
courage  in  coming  forward  with  your  vision  and 
yoar  great  organization  to  give  truth  a chance 
to  be  heard  on  the  radio  and  television. 

This  is  a tremendous  crisis  in  United 
States  history  when  there  can  be  no  debating 
ground  between  the  freedom  of  a people  and  the 
endeavors  of  a single  man  or  a group  to  bully 
and  terrify  them  into  dictatorship  and  the 
fires  of  inquisition.  Through  you  the  "Voice 
of  America"  will  again  be  free  to  spread  in- 
formation for  the  benefit  not  only  of  Ameri- 
cans but  of  all  peoples,  and  it  will  become 
a powerful  encourager  of  education  and  intel- 
ligent thought  that  shall  cause  time  democracy 
to  prevail. 

With  warmest  greetings  and  with  grateful 
memories  of  your  kindness  to  me  years  ago,  I am. 


Sincerely  yours. 


March  thirteenth,  19Sh 


■f/e  AC  M 


President Jordajp, 


Radcliffe  College, 

Cambridge,  Mass. 

Dear  Dr.  Jordan, 

I am  so  profoundly  moved  by  your  letter  and  your  personal  invi- 
tation to  be  present  at  the  Radcliffe  College  Commencement  that  I search 
in  vain  for  words  to  express  rpy  emotion  adequately. 

It  is  wonderfull  the  generous,  beautiful  thought  you  have  outlined 
of  Radcliffe  honoring  my  beloved  teacher  and  me  at  Commencement'  ttiis-  year. 
A more  delightfiil  way  of  honoring  us  could  not  be  found  than  the  gar- 
den you  suggest  at  Graduate  Quadrangle  and  the  fountain  that  would  so 
exquisitely  symbolize  Anne  Sullivan's  opening  ny  mind  with  the  word 

"■water.  I cannot  thank  you  verbally,  but  any  plan  you  can  conveniently 

/ ■ 

have  this  idea  take  form  and  face  will  gladden  me  with  the  sense  that 
Anne  Sullivan' s work  is  to  be  gloriously  recognized  as  the  generations 
of  students  come  and  go  through  Radcliffe  College. 

WjiitxKBntdt jti jcgrgKtingaxx  The  12th  of  June  will  suit  me  if  it  is 
agreeable  to  you.  I shall  be  accompanied  by  my  friend  and  co-worker 
Miss  Polly  Thomson. 

With  cordial  greetings  yourself  and  others  who  are  interested  in 
your  splendid  memorial,  I am. 

Sincerely  yours. 

May  twentieth,  195U. 


Dear  Mrs.  Phinney, 

From  rry  heart  I thank  you  and  the  Radcliffe  AHIrtinae 
Association  for  the  beautiful  honor  which  you  wish  to 
confer  upon  me.  With  awe  and  great  appreciation  I ac- 
cept your  invitation  to  be  the  first  woman  to  receive  the 
Alumnae  Achievement  Award.  Affectionately  I look  forward 
to  Radcliffe  College's  leadership  of  women  in  life  and 
work  through  the  liberal  arts  that  shall  place  them  among 
the  guiding  creators  and  light-bringing  inspirers  of  the 
human  race. 

Miss  Ihomson  and  I will  attend  the  luncheon  on  Sa- 
turday Jime  12  th. 

With  happy  anticipations,  I am, 

Sincerely  yours. 


Westport,  Conn., 

May  twenty-first,  195U. 


ARCAN  RIDGE 
WESTPORT,  CONN. 


Dear  Friends, 

It  Is  an  honor  for  mo  to  speak  before  the 
oamegle  Peace  Foundation.  For  Andrew  Oarnegle  was  a most 
gracious,  helpful  friend  to  me,  "Service  to  others,"  he  said, 
"is  the  true  worship  of  God,"  and  with  his  words  shining  In 
ay  memory  I salute  you. 


welfare  of  the  unfortunate  you  are  bringing  the  peoples  ever 
closer  together.  Those  who  participate  In  global  efforts  for 
the  handicapped  forget  national  onmitlee.  Side  by  side,  without 
tumults  or  quarrels,  labor  the  representatives  of  peoples  who 
in  other  assemblies  think  only  of  their  own  Interests,  Your 
work  has  broadened  my  concept  of  world  unity. 


In  the  Jnlted  Nations  millions  of  disabled,  lnclu'-''ing  the  blind 
and  the  deaf,  have  echoed  the  wish  to  be  given  a ctance  to 
live  natur^^lly , to  exercise  their  rights  to  education  and 
physical  security  and  to  work  In  accordance  with  the  dignity 
of  their  manhood  and  womanhood.  In  the  growing  number  of 
sufferers  who  demand  Justice  Is  a moral  pov.er — the  unfathomed 
power  of  ideas.  Ideas  civilize  and  unite  peoples.  And  who 
knowsi  A new  civilization  may  arise  from  the  Idea  t’ at  the 
disabled  are  capable  of  Joining  forces  with  the  normal  for 
the  benefit  of  all  mankind. 


the  blind  or  the  deaf  or  the  crippled  Is  to  remove  the 
widespread,  erroneous  belief  that,  because  a man  Is  severely 


By  encouraging  world  organlza' Ions  for  the 


Ever. since  the  Code  of  Human  Rights  was  proclaimed 


The  only  way  to  make  useful  human  beings  out  of 


c'-irtalled  in  his  physical  powers,  he  cannot  attain  high 
efficiency.  The  principle  Is  being  established  that  the 
disabled,  through  special  tr  Ining,  are  to  becomo  members  of 
normal  society  and  Not  a society  of  handicapped  Individuals, 
lilxperlence  has  shown  that  their  environment  should  be  such  as 
to  permit  them  to  develop  their  abilities  and  acquire  strength 
through  self-help. 

Dear  friends,  1 plead  with  you  whose  work  Is  for  peace 
to  exert  your  In'^luence  that  the  handicapped  everywhere  may 
gain  a position  which  shall  widen  their  opportunities  end 
lessen  their  exposure  to  war  and  Its  dislocations.  Purely  there 
1s  no  nobler  way  to  win  over  the  hearts  and  minds  of  the  peoples 
from  hostility  to  world  peace. 


For  the  Lawyers 


Dear  Friends, 

Kere  verbal  thanks  cannot  express  ray  appreciation 
of  the  award  which  the  Connecticut  Ctate  Bar  Association  has 
conferred  upon  me.  Only  this  I can  say;  1 am  deeply  touched 
by  your  friendly  oncoura^ei^ier t in  my  efforts  to  create  inner 
light  for  the  handicapped. 

Ihon  I ac  proud  to  receive  this  honor  in  Connecticut — 
a beautiful  stats  which  I love  as  ray  home,  a state  which  was  founded 
by  men  and  women  who  dared  to  be  aagnanlmoua  towards  points  of 
view  different  from  their  own. 

I ax  not  a lawyer,  but  like  most  laymen  I am  Interested 
in  the  law  as  it  affects  our  3 Ives  and  in  the  influence  of 
lawyers  upon  society.  I know  that  again  and  again  in  American  history 
the  freedom  without  which  we  cannot  think,  apeak,  and  dissent 
has  been  sustained  only  by  bravo  adherence  to  the  law  of  the  land. 

It  appears  to  me  that  this  freedom  is  menaced  brbxksxh  once  more. 

Ve  all,  and  especially  you  guardians  of  the  law,  have  a weighty 
resronsltllity  to  avert  the  danger  to  our  liberties.  Grim 
experience  reminds  us  that  if  we  take  these  liberties  for  granted 
they  are  doomed  and  the  struggle  for  common  law  and  Justice  is  in 
vain. 


I plead  with  you  lawyers — men  with  a sense  of 
history  and  a love  of  Justice — to  see  to  it  that  whenever  our 
rights  and  liberties  are  endangered,  they  shall  bo  defended  by 
duo  process  of  law.  Only  then  can  we  be  victorious  in  the  fight 
for  human  freedom  and  dignity.  Only  thus  can  we  create  a world 
wV  ere  all  people  shall  l-.ave  a chance  to  attain  the  precious  blessings 
of  life,  11  bt,  an  1 Justice. 


K^.i-00 


Spoflch  for  the  Lions  International 


near  Lions — my  Knights  of  the  Blind  as  I have  always  called  you — 
nhat  a wonderful  moment  this  is  as  I stand  before  you  and  think 
of  the  light  which  you  are  spreading  among  the  peoples  of  the  world  1 
Recently  when  I went  to  South  and  Central  America  to  obtain  data 
concerning  the  blind  I was  privileged  to  visit  the  Lions  in  Lima 
and  in  Panama.  I had  known  that  the  Lions  of  the  iJnited  States 
had  chosen  as  their  major  activity  the  work  for  the  blind,  but  I 
had  not  realized  how  they  had  leaped  over  the  walls  of  different 
languages  to  unite  in  service  to  the  captives  of  the  dark. 

During  my  Journey  I found  that  more  than  half  a million  blind 
persons  live  south  of  the  United  States  and  to  my  dismay  I saw 
that  only  a pitifully  small  number  have  friends  able  to  lead  them 
along  the  dark  road.  Throughout  Latin  America  the  blind  are 
fighting  for  their  education  with  only  Braille  hand  slates  as 
their  equipment.  They  must  have  Braille  printing  presses  if  the 
accumulated  treasures  of  literature,  science  and  philosophy  are  to 
enrich  their  desert  lives. 

About  eighteen  months  ago  a historic  conference  was  held  in 
Montevideo  by  experts,  many  of  them  blind,  from  countries  where 
Spanish  and  Portuguese  are  spoken.  Technical  and  linguistic 
difficulties  were  overcome  and  since  then  the  American  Foundation 
for  Overseas  Blind  have  cooperated  to  Install  a modern  Braille 
press  in  Mexico.  The  two  Foundations  have  also  installed  similar 
equipment  in  Brazil  for  the  publication  of  books  in  Portuguese, 
but  many  blind  are  still  crying  out  for  books  to  develop  their 
minds  and  widen  their  oprortunltles. 


2 


I am  encouraged  to  suggest  that  you  Lions  of  all  the 
Americas  combine  to  supply  them  with  Braille  printing  equipment. 
If  this  Idea  pleases  you,  perhaps  you  from  the  United  States 
and  you  from  Latin  America  can  raise  funds  for  a press  to  be 
established  In  a carefully  selected  area  from  which  embossed 
books  can  go  out  to  the  blind  of  other  regions.  Certainly,  dear 
Lions,  It  would  gratify  me  Inexpressibly  If  through  your  bounty 
the  blind  of  Latin  America  might  draw  freely  on  the  bread  and 
water  of  literature  to  satisfy  their  cravings  of  mind  and  spirit. 


’Sngllah  Hedges 
Helen  i^eller 

Ky  acquaintance  with  Kngllnh  hedges  began  In  Cornwall  In 
April  many  years  ago.  We  had  landed  at  Plymouth,  my  teacher 
Anne  Sullivan  Macy  and  our  friend  Polly  Thomson,  and  there  had 
hired  an  automobile  to  drive  us  to  the  village  of  Looe  for  a 
holiday.  We  found  the  streets  of  Plymouth  so  fascinating  that 
we  nearly  changed  our  minds  about  going  on  to  Cornwall.  Almost 
every  one  we  passed  was  carrying  daffodils — baskets  full,  arms 
full,  pony  carts  full — and  we  bought  all  the  car  could  hold  from 
an  old  woman  for  tan  cents. 

That  was  my  first  contact  with  the  England  of  Shakespeare, 
Shelley,  and  Wordsworth.  But  nothing  I had  read  had  given  me  any 
Idea  of  what  an  English  hedge  1s  like.  I had  Imagined  that  they 
were  planted  and  gr^w  straight  from  the  ground  as  a privet  hedge 
grows.  But  they  aren't  that  way  at  all. 

Like  many  other  beautiful  things  In  England  and  elsewhere 
they  have  their  origin  In  homely  necessity.  v,'hen  the  land  was 
cleared  for  crops  and  pastures,  and  lanes  were  cut  through  them 
which  In  time  became  roads,  the  sods,  loose  stones  and  underbrush 
were  left  on  the  aides  forming  mounds.  As  the  centuries  passed 
these  moun'^s  each  year  became  thicker  and  thicker,  higher  and 
more  Inviting  to  wild  things  seeking  a place  of  habitation.  The 
farmers  kept  them  trimmed  without  taking  away  their  uniqueness. 
All  kinds  of  wild  flowers,  ferns,  and  brambles  have  found  a home 
on  these  great  banks,  and  In  some  places  rows  of  trees,  some  very 
large,  have  sprung  up  from  needs  scattered  by  the  winds,  forming 
a super-hedge.  Blackthorn,  latirel,  broom,  hawthorn,  and  wild 
cherry  ere  very  fond  of  hedges  and  lavish  upon  them  all  their 


b«aiity  and  fragrance. 

Ye  saw  a hedge  nine  miles  long  of  rhododendrons  which  bad 
grovk-n  Into  trees  and  their  crimson  splendor  took  away  oufr  breath, 
fefore  the  rhododendrons  wore  gone  there  came  blllovs  of  apple, 
pear,  and  cherry  blossoms,  mingled  with  the  scents  of  lilies 
and  honey S'JcV:lo.  Afterwards  hawthorn,  roses,  peonies,  and  blue- 
flags  held  high  carnival  In  the  lanes.  I nosed  through  this 
tangled  wonderland,  touching  flowers  until  my  fingers  tingled 
and  breathing  their  perfume  until  my  senses  ached.  And  with  the 

•H 

heavely  scents  the  flutter  of  wings  and  the  song  of  birds  and  the 
music  of  the  sea,  washing  away  all  the  cares,  all  the  strife,  and 
"all  the  old  pains  that  to  living  belong." 

iVory  field  In  Cornwall  Is  bordered  by  these  hedges,  which 
are  entered  either  throu^  a gate  or  over  a log  or  a stone 
stile.  I have  clambered  over  many  of  these  gates  and  stiles,  Ihe 
fanners  don't  object  so  long  as  one  Is  careful  to  close  the 
gates.  The  cattle  and  sheep,  grazing  In  the  lovely  pastures,  merely 
lift  up  their  heads  as  we  pass.  If  the  lambs  bleat,  the  ewes  look 
at  them  reprovingly.  In  all  uornwall  there  Isn't  an  unfenced  field 
such  as  we  eee  everywhere  In  America,  but  the  fences  are  these 
beautiful  bodges. 


and  poems 


Anne  Sullivan  Macy ' s Sayings 
and 
poems 


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25  Seminole  Avenue 

FOREST  HILLS.  N.  Y. 


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A Child  Worker 


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She  made  a lovely  thing, A-. 

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Toil  was  she  knew; 

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Catholic  University,  and  iirn.  Harriet  Stanton  d latch.  Follov/ing  the  meeting 
several  hundred  men  and  -.romen  marched  with  amnesty  banners  from  the  theatre 
to  the  White  House  gates  and  waited  vd'dle  a committee  carried  a resolution  into 
the  Executive  office. 

DEiiOKSTRATIOre . 

The  demonstrations  planned  by  the  committee  have  taken  the  form  of 
picketing  in  front  of  the  White  House  every  day  for  one  hour,  beginning  October 
24th  and  continuing  to  date.  The  pickets  carrj'-  banners  with  appropriate  in- 
scriptions, reminding  the  President  of  his  responsibility  for  keeping  these  men 
in  jail  is  quoting  from  the  constitution,  from  the  speeches  of  statesmen,  and 
telling  of  the  action  taken  by  other  governments. 

The  first  special  demonstration  was  on  November  11th,  Armistice  Day, 
v/hen  a picket  line  of  more  tlian  200  men  and  women  from  fourteen  states  marched 
to  the  White  House  and  stood  wdth  banners  for  an  hour  and  then  adjourned  to  La- 
Fayette  Square  for  a sticot  meeting,  addressed  by  the  Rev,  Smith  0.  Dexter  of 
Concord,  r&iss.,  and  I'iss  Helen  Todd  of  New  York. 

On  Thanksgiving  Day,  three  men  and  three  v/omen  pickets,  dressed  in 
puritan  costumes,  carried  special  banners.  Pictures  of  this  demonstration  were 
carried  vddelyin  the  newspapers.  A fev/  days  before  Christmas  special  Christmas 
banners  were  carried  and  among  those  jlicketing  was  Congresswoman  Winnifred  l.feson 
Huck  with  her  son  and  daughter. 

PUBLICITY. 

The  publicity  done  by  the  committee  has  consisted  of  news  stories  sent 
to  the  'Washington  correspondents  of  papers  throughout  the  country,  whenever 
there  has  been  activity  considered  to  have  news  value.  Through  the  efforts  of 
the  committees  in  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia,  editorials  on  amnesty  have  been 
secured  in  local  newspapers.  Editorials  and  syndicated  editorials  favoring  the 
release  of  political  prisoners  liave  been  secured  in  newspapers  throughout  the 
country. 

FimircE. 

The  financing  of  the  vrerk  of  the  committee,  which  v^as  estimated  at 
§1,500  per  montli,  lias  been  as  follows: 


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Teacher’s  Sayings 


The  world  is  full  of  light  and  song.  The  world  is  full  of  visible  things  that 
sparkle  and  shine  and  sing.  Forever  that  darkness  and  eyes  that  bum  to  break 
tne  seal  of  darkness. 

With  fingers  of  fire  I touch  thy  weary  eye-lids  and  lo,  the  seal  of  darkness  is 
broken.  Suddenly  like  a thousand  gleaming  swords  light  comes,  glorious 
consu/ninauion  thus  to  stand  untrammelled  of  the  senses.  Free  as  the  v/inds  v/ith 
vision  limitless  as  the  all-seeing  mind.  In  guise  of  Sod's  chastened  messenger 
I come  to  you  my  brothers  with  fingers  of  fire. 


The  world  is  full  of  visible  things  that  shine  aid  sing — bird,  fire  a, id 
star--for  ears  that  listen  anJ  eyes  that  are  bright.  But  to  me  the  world  is  dark 
night.  Arrows  of  :ate  fly  true.  But  I wear  it  like  a blossom  in  my  riair. 


Hunger  and  pestilence  like  a skulking  wolf  at  every  hucble  door  and 

over  all  the  dread  menace  of  world-destroying  v;ar,  fear-vexed  nearts  and  ever 

active  aid  alert  the  treacherous  leader  in  cunning  disguise  that  sets  their  hearts 

g sunder.  Blood-bespattered  fields  denied  the  fructifying  seeds  of  bounteous 

life  left  to  barrenness  and  waste,  their  sterility  a hideous  coaraentary  on  the 
who 

deeds  of  those  xoatc  rule  over  us. 

Tells  how  the  interminable  hungers  of  life  hurt,  '^ow  can  the  man 
who  sees  his  wretched  wife  tired  always,  clad  in  coarsest  stuffs,  nis  dull, 
old-faced  babies  tugging  at  her  shapeless  shirt.  He  looks  with  sullen  resigna- 
tion that  tells  novj  that  even  little  hope  is  dead  how  his  degredation  nurts. 


Teacher's  Sayings 


Guide  the  torch  and  light  of  an  all-aeeing  viorld.  Let  me  hide  my  burning 
face  In  thy  still  gloom.  Pour  upon  my  impatient  wrath  the  balm  of  thy  silent 
tides  of  night.  Encompassed  by  darkness,  v/ordless,  bewildered,  desolate, 
encompassed  by  silence  and  utter  darkness  I am  — 

iVhat  if  my  hunger  is  fed  .vith  all  that  seems  most  palatable,  what  if  my 
enemies  bite  the  dust  and  fate's  arrows  are  lightly  ground  beneath  my  feet, 
what  if  my  house  is  full  of  friends  and  laughter,  what  il  my  soul  ascends  on 
wings  of  flame,  »/hat  if  my  garments  of  finest  silk  cling  and  jlIow  if  the 
exidless  lives  tnat  touch  me  as  I pass  are  cold  and  hungry  and  joyless.  My 
spirit's  light  goes  out.  I grope  in  the  darkness.  The  world  is  a windowless 
dungeon. 

Life  tnat  hangs-  on  a tyrant's  whim.  'Intrustworthy  things:  woman's  love  that 
must  be  bought,  a soldier  .-.Ith  a sword  in  his  hand,  government's  riches  and 


blind.  They  thought  the  world  was  made  for  chosen  men.  Now  clearer  judgment  tears 
the  veil  aside.  So  he  knows  that  all  the  world  is  his  to  feed  and  clothe  and 
cherish  and  enjoy. 


Ignorance  hath  entwined  men's  minds  and  made  them  strangely 


Imagination  -saints  before  my  inward  eye  flower  and  star  and  his  beloved 
face.  Should  fancy  cease  ray  world  would  be  a prison,  all  impenetrably  dark. 


Teacher's  Sayings 


The  busiest  day  is  the  day  we  staj'  at  home  to  rest  and  find  a few  little  odd 
jobs  to  do  about  the  house. 


When  there  is  no  light  in  the  windows  of  M^the  face 


Only  the  born  fool  makes  the  same  mistake  twice 


a 

There  are  two  things  one  engaged  in/public  v;ork  is  sure  to  meet  v/ith  and  should 
ignore;  unintell igent  criticism  and  pathos.  The  first  can't  hann  and  the  second 
can't  help.  They  indicate  more  or  less  asininity.  Nevertheless  if  the  cause  is 
a good  one  and  it  doesn't  succeed  there  is  a reason  and  the  thing  to  do  is  to  find 
it  before  trying  again. 


Teacher's  Sayings 


Unschooled  in  poetry,  music,  art,  they  eat  the  meagre  loaf  their  hands 
have  eained  to  still  their  bellie^s'  empty  pain  and  ache.  They  eat  and  are 
not  glad  at  heart  for  the  hunger  of  their  souls  is  not  appeased.  They  have  no 
bread . 

I would  I could  vjrite  a song  with  a thousand  swords  in  every  line. 

They  think  ephemeral  promises  will  heal  this  world's  commotion. 

Faith  a taper  burning  in  an  empty  room  opens  wide  the  gates  of  heaven 
and  all  things  by  men  ests€imed  were  mine  as  in  a dream. 

Singled  out  by  the  majesty  of  Fate  to  be  the  ccsnrade  of  the  sad  and  dis- 
pirited and  disinherited.  All  miseries  are  woven  in  the  substance  of  my 
anguish,  all  the  hurt  and  mained  and  desolate  and  blind  turn  to  me  for 
sympathy  as  Catholics  reverently  pray  to  their  Mother  of  Sorrows. 

Comes  the  daybreak  of  thy  deliverance  o'er  hills  and  through  valleya--holy 
fires  of  wisdom.  It  flows  from  peak  to  peak  flooding  land  and  sea  with  holy 
light  in  ever  widening  floods  of  morning  light.  Thy  wondering  gaze  beholds 
revealed  man's  vision,  dreams,  and  holiest  aspiration  eonsummated  in  the  light 
of  day,  in  that  red  and  quivering  light  , dawn,  hushed  and  holy  light,  the  track- 
less vastitudea  of  space. 

One  moment  I stand  jpon  the  noble  height.  My  spirit  has  won  through  love 
and  faith  on  sunlit  peaks  of  thought.  Freed  at  last  from  the  restraining  bands 
of  sense  '.vith  spiritual  vision  keen  and  swift  I gaze  fearlul  and  angered  at  the 
brutal  world  of  men.  Lov;er  than  the  beasts,  they  rend  and  kill  each  other. 

Divine  humanityl  Created  in  Clod's  image!  These  cruel,  cu  ving,  broken  shardsl 
The  new-b  mi  radiance  in  my  soul  at  the  sight  went  out.  Utter  blindness  covered 
me  like  a mantle  of  mortal  pangs.  Pangs  from  huraan  hearts,  immortal  tears  for  human 
wrongs  made  darkness  sweet  and  death  desirable.  Oh  dark,  sweet,  protecting 
dark  to  thee  I hold  out  beseeching  hands.  Fold  me  in  they  comforting  cool  wings. 

f 


Teacher' 8 Sayings 


Last  nl?ht  you  came  to  me,  John.  I do  not  know  if  it  was  a dream  or  your 
spirit  presence.  I felt  your  step  so  near  and  you  were  the  very  same-r-your 
manner  and  the  smell  of  your  clothes.  I held  your  hand  so  tight  and  you  called 
me  Bill,  but  I felt  the  same  glad  thrill  I always  felt  when  you  put  imm  my  hand 
on  your  lips  and  said  Hello  Bill.  Oh  I was  so  happy  because  you  had  come  back  to 
me.  Home  isn't  just  the  same  when  you  are  not  there.  He  walked  in  the  hill  wood 
and  we  hunted  toadstools  and  got  a basket  full  that  were  good  to  eat.  We  walked 
home  through  the  field  and  you  said,  "This  is  like  the  old  times,"  and  the  way 
you  said  it  brought  peace  to  my  heart.  I can't  tell  if  it  v/as  a dream  or  a 
vision.  I only  know  I have  been  happier  today  because  you  called  me  Bill  in  the 


dear  old  way. 


Teacher's  Sayings 


There  are  jonfused  memories  of  groping  soundless  days  of  rain,  of  hurrying 
footsteps  of  nameless  persons  moving,  of  horses,  of  animals,  and  flickering 

annoy.ng  contacts  that  made  me  fidget  and  whimper  uneasily.  Tears  and  fears 
and  falling  and  clutching, of  hands  tender  and  forceful,  of  face  :lose  to  mine 
and  comi'orting  arms  round  me,  bananas  and  honey,  wild  grapes  and  persimiaons, 
buckwheat  cakes  with  sweet  ^yrup,al 1 luscious  nomeless  things;  rain,  the  smell 
of  earth  and  throbs  in  my  ear  drums  that  made  me  stand  still  afraid  of  strong 
dark  things;  mornings  hot  and  dripping,  nights  cool  and  odorous.  I lean  out  of 
a window.  A.  perfumed  ivind  blows  my  hair.  I grope  for  it  but  it  escapes  through 
my  fingers. 

Elemental  things — hunger,  fire,  water 
hot  sands  t'nat  sting  my  bare  feet 


The  flo'wer  fields  of  the  spirit  are  as  wonderful  as  the  bright  gardens  that 
delight  your  eyes. 


She  has  a face  like  a morning  in  spring. 


Teacher's  Sayings 


V/e  must  not  touch  our  idols.  The  gilt  sticks  to  our  fingers. 

Battlefields,  grim  accusers  of  the  v;icked  deeds  of  men--interpreting  in  dumb 
pantomime  the  significance  of  war  and  master  minds  at  work. 


Till  they  plant  their  flaming  banners  on  the  masthead  of  the  future.  Through 
thoughts  and  words  and  deeds  heroic,  the  ne'ii  state 

Imagination,  the  cunning  master-key  flings  wide  the  gates  of  heaven. 


The  world  v/as  a child's  playhouse.  I was  full  of  thoughts.  I saw  mothers  suck- 
ling their  babies.  I felt  the  thrill  of  their  little  fingers  on  my  breasts, 
‘.'illions  of  young  people  in  the  streets  hunting  work,  love,  food,  pleasure, 
forgetfulness.  Restless,  furtive,  unsatisfied  they  track  the  streets. 

Reckless  hungry  eyea  marred,  ugly  fear — empty  of  thought,  empty  of  joy,  they 
scurry  and  huddle  through  openings  in  the  gray-like  walls  and  plunge  down 
subway  steps  like  'water  over  a dam.  ^ 

wild. apple  rains  sweet  odors  on  the  air. 

Let  me  retrace  the  record  of  the  years  that  made  me  what  I am,  a woman  bo'jnd 
upon  a solitary  rook,  prey  of  the  vultures  of  circumstance.  Always  straining  at 
my  cnains,  again  and  again  beaten  to  my  knees  by  forces  stronger  than  my  hu:nan 

0U-. 

will.  Yet  I am  not  beaten  with  my  forehead  in  the  dust.  I stel  moments  of  free- 

A 

dom.  Clinging  to  the  skirts  of  faith,  I climb  upwards  to  heights  where  I glimpse 
bright  worlds  of  thought,  of  love,  a -d  liberty.  And  through  the  midnight  stillness 
of  my  soul  I hear  the  loud  insistent  moan  of  others  in  bondage  and  like  me  dis- 
inherited, creatures  who  sigh  and  sleep  and  wake  a sigh  again. 


A vision  floats  between  me  and  earth's  darkness. 


T each  er ' s Sayings 


Night  gathers  the  stars  under  her  great  soft  wings  and  silently  steals  away. 
I gaze  into  the  glory  of  the  sun  and  find  it  good. 

Real  sorrows  are  apparently  at  peace  in  the  deep  bed  tnat  they  have  made  for 
themselves  where  they  seem  to  sleep  though  all  the  v;hile  they  never  cease  to 
fret  and  eat  away  the  soul  (Balzac). 

Mankind  is  laboring  with  heavy  thoughts. 


Does  the  soul  only  flower  on  nights  of  storm? 

?/e  are  too  driven  to  pay  any  tribute  to  friendship. 

My  treacherous  eyesight  balks  me  always  about  study  and  production.  Y/hen  I am 
in  a mood  to  read  they  betray  me  cursedly. 

How  often  it  happens  that  the  thing  we  rashly  assume  to  be  impossible  is  found  by 
subsequent  experiment  to  be  possible  and  desirable. 

A vision  shines  before  me  of  men,  my  brothers--of  workers,  my  comrades,  Striving, 
suftering,  dying,  they  shape  the  age  anew. 


He  was  the  embodiment  of  the  power  to  make  one  think. 


Verse • 


' i Hands,  understanding  hands. 

Hands  that  caress  like  delicate  green  leaves. 

Hands,  eager  hands  

Hands  that  gather  knowledge  fr*m  great  books,  Braille 
Hands  that  fill  empty  spaces  with  lovable  things. 

Hands  so  quiet,  folded  on  a book  

Hands  forgetful  of  words  they  have  read  all  night. 
Hands  asleep  on  the  open  page. 

Strong  hands  that  sow  and  reap  thought. 

Hands  tremulous  and  ecstatic  listening  to  music. 

Hands  keeping  the  rhythm  of  song  and  dance. 


1 


books  


/ 


S«me  more  of  Teacher's  poem  on  hands 

She  of  the  seeing  hands  

She  of  the  treacherous  shores  of  the  dark  

She  reaches  out  her  sensitive  hands, 

Her  fingers  utter  silent  words 
And  patiently  play  at  seeing.. 

They  trace  columned  walls  

A rose  hid  from  her  eyes,  a Greek  frieze. 

They  are  like  blossoms,  silently  they  glow  

These  marvellous  hands  glow  like  candle-flames 
And  flutter  in  the  dark.. 

She  smiles,  she  listens  with  her  white  hands  

Hands  that  tremble  with  desire. 

That  rise  like  wings  of  music 

And  flash  like  falling  stars  through  the  night. 

Like  carrier  pigeons  they  droop  

The  fingers  that  trace  the  ways  of  moon  and  star. 

Above  her  head  they  wave  in  trees  like  leaves. 

Bright  hands,  swift,  swaying,  pursuing  hands, 

Sager,  fluttering,  emotional  hands. 

Hands  that  are  substitute  for  darkeneH  e^es. 

Imperious,  significant  hands  

C the  delicate  ecstasy  of  artist  hands!